TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas residents are paying higher taxes on cigarettes, groceries and other consumer goods but no longer have to obtain a state permit to carry a concealed gun.
The tax increases and concealed carry change are among a raft of new state laws that took effect Wednesday.
Other new laws help veterans, tighten rules for state cash assistance recipients and ease restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol.
Fantasy sports leagues are now legal, and tuition increases at state universities will be capped this fall and next fall.
The state's sales tax has increased to 6.5 percent from 6.15 percent, and the cigarette tax has jumped by 50 cents a pack to $1.29.
The tax hikes prevent a budget deficit for the fiscal year that started Wednesday.
© Associated Press
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Walnut Township recall coming; Friday mtg erupts in arrest
Four arrested for illegal activity on Kickapoo Reservation
Two search warrants, two Horton homes, two arrests
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Severe storms move through NE KS
Document forgery alleged in ATCO's Walnut Township
Two Brown Co officers honored for their bravery
Whiting woman pleads to theft of fire dept. funds
Flags across KS to fly half-staff Sunday
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Two men arrested in Jackson Co for distribute of meth
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
Winning lottery ticket sold in Falls City about to expire
Meriden man bound over on rape charge
Atchison apt fire draws strong response Monday
Tornado damage surveyed in NE KS
LATEST STORIES
Planned outage for Brown-Atchison Electric Tuesday
KS Courts: those affected by past cyber attack being contacted
Atchison apt fire draws strong response Monday
Falls City Education Assn awards nearly $39K in scholarships
Richardson Co Commission approves Sheriff's Dept items
Latest Brown, Doniphan Co filings
Council approves Aquatic Center hirings
Motorcyclist injured in Holt Co MO crash