Democrats criticize move to delay staff's pay cuts

Posted on 12 Mar 2010 at 5:52am

TOPEKA — Top Democrats criticized a push by Kansas' Republican House speaker to delay pay cuts for legislative leaders' staff — including his wife — which were scheduled to take effect Thursday.The law imposes a 5 percent cut in pay through June 30 for legislators, other elected state officials, judges and about 100 top administrators in the executive branch. It also applies to all staff in legislative leaders' offices, including their secretaries.Speaker Mike O'Neal, R-Hutchinson, sent a le...

Autism bill awaiting vote

Posted on 11 Mar 2010 at 3:14pm

Amid technical and political questions, a bill that eventually could require coverage of autism treatments to be included in all health insurance plans is still in a Senate committee.read more

Lawmakers more open to tax hikes

Posted on 11 Mar 2010 at 5:41am

TOPEKA — In January, sales tax increases, eliminating sales tax exemptions and increasing sin taxes found only tepid support among lawmakers. That's changing.The transformation is partially due to 2011 fiscal year's growing puddle of red ink — $400 million-plus and likely to expand.

Panel considers judicial contest rules

Posted on 11 Mar 2010 at 9:54am

A Kansas Senate committee expects to vote next week on a bill regulating campaigns to oust or retain members of the state's appellate courts.read more

Small School Districts Won't be Forced to Merge

Posted on 10 Mar 2010 at 12:07am

TOPEKA — Kansas House members rejected portions of a bill Tuesday that would have reduced state aid for some small school districts.The bill would have pushed six districts with enrollments of fewer than 200 students and occupying less than 200 square miles to consolidate. The districts are Argonia, Attica, Altoona-Midway, Baileyville, Chase and Elk Valley.But the bill was amended on a 75-39 vote to remove those provisions. Supporters of the amendment said districts didn't deserve to be punis...

House gives first-round approval to passenger rail legislation

Posted on 10 Mar 2010 at 4:58pm

The Kansas House gave tentative approval Wednesday to a measure laying the foundation for expanded passenger rail service through the state.

Legislature sends bill to Parkinson's desk to adjust unemployment taxes

Posted on 10 Mar 2010 at 1:39pm

The Kansas House has sent Gov. Mark Parkinson a bill adjusting the taxes paid by businesses into the state's unemployment trust fund.

Parkinson signs into law ban on K2

Posted on 10 Mar 2010 at 1:32pm

House Bill 2411 amends the Kansas Uniform Controlled Substance Act to include several synthetic cannabinoids.

Proposed change in DUI law eliminates a reporting rule

Posted on 6 Mar 2010 at 2:05am

TOPEKA — A bill in the House Judiciary Committee could remove the requirement that drunken drivers who are required to get ignition interlock devices installed in their vehicles report to the state that they had done so.Opponents to the proposal say fewer convicted drunken drivers would get the devices installed in their vehicles without the reporting requirement.The change came in an amendment offered by Sen. Mary Pilcher Cook, R-Shawnee, when Senate Bill 368 was being debated on the Senate ...

KDOT stops $86 million in projects

Posted on 5 Mar 2010 at 1:02pm

Kansans may be in for a rough ride as the state jostles its way to the other side of the economic recession, but Gov. Mark Parkinson earned praise for steering clear of education, public safety and safety net programs in his latest budget cuts.read more

Senate unanimously OKs unemployment tax law

Posted on 5 Mar 2010 at 12:05am

TOPEKA — A bill easing the pain for Kansas businesses facing a huge tax increase easily won approval Thursday in the state Senate after its Republican majority backed away from proposed cuts in benefits for jobless workers.The measure, approved 39-0, rewrites a Kansas law that otherwise would force a $209 million increase this year in taxes businesses pay into a state trust fund that finances unemployment benefits. Record claims last year depleted the fund, and Kansas must borrow from the f...

Parkinson offers budget tweak

Posted on 5 Mar 2010 at 11:00am

Gov. Mark Parkinson unveiled plans Friday to begin addressing an astonishing $106 million budget shortfall by immediately halting state transportation projects and maneuvering to qualify Kansas for more federal aid.read more

House takes up mentally ill bill

Posted on 5 Mar 2010 at 8:52am

A Kansas House committee is considering a proposed change in the state constitution to protect the voting rights of the mentally ill.read more

Kansas House to take up debate on Senate's resolution concerning states'...

Posted on 5 Mar 2010 at 10:42am

The Kansas House will consider a states' rights resolution criticizing the federal government for being too intrusive.

Kansas Senate to debate cut in jobless benefits

Posted on 4 Mar 2010 at 11:00am

A bill before the Kansas Senate would cut benefits to unemployed workers to help businesses that are facing a huge tax increase this year.

Kansas bill would tax utility bills, churches' purchases

Posted on 3 Mar 2010 at 5:54am

TOPEKA — A bill eliminating sales tax exemptions on utility bills and lottery tickets is headed for debate in the Kansas House.The proposal essentially would impose the 5.3 percent state sales tax on all electric, gas and water bills. It also would repeal an exemption that allows churches to avoid paying sales tax on purchases.It also requires a sales tax on lottery tickets — a move that would cost the state money. Adding the tax to the ticket price would exclude Kansas from multistate lotter...

Health resolution hits House floor

Posted on 3 Mar 2010 at 12:08am

TOPEKA — After two hours of debate, a constitutional amendment aimed at preventing the federal government from requiring that Kansans buy health insurance was sent by a committee to the House floor on Tuesday.House Concurrent Resolution 5032 states that no person or business in the state can be required to participate in a specific health care system or purchase health care. The resolutions also stipulate that health-care providers may accept direct payments for medical care.The resolution ...

Senate approves bill to revise distribution of special education funding

Posted on 2 Mar 2010 at 8:38am

A Senate committee has approved a bill that would change how some special education funding is distributed in the state.