TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas legislators who are struggling with redistricting are sending mixed signs about whether they’re growing closer to agreeing on new political boundaries. Senators who are negotiating redrawing the chamber’s 40 districts said Friday that they were making some progress on ending an impasse among majority Republicans. But other senators suggested that the talks had all but broken off. GOP conservatives and moderates have been at odds over how to draw Senate districts to account for changes in population over the past decade. The two Republican factions will be seeking control of the Senate in GOP primaries this…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A state appeals court has refused to reconsider a decision that lets Calgary-based TransCanada avoid paying nearly $19 million in property taxes for 2011. KCLY reports the Court of Tax Appeals on Wednesday denied a Kansas Department of Revenue request that it rethink an earlier ruling that TransCanada’s Keystone pipeline met requirements under a 6-year-old exemption. Kansas lawmakers passed the tax exemption in 2006 when TransCanada was exploring the route through Kansas. The law included income tax credits, financing and a 10-year property tax exemption. The Revenue Department argues the pipeline doesn’t provide refineries in the state…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Senators are preparing to consider another version of the 2013 Kansas budget as the legislative session drags on without a resolution on how to fund state government. Three Senate and three House negotiators have been meeting off and on to settle their differences on the $14 billion spending plan. The discussions have stalled over the funding of education, as well as the potential impact of a tax cut package. The bill covers spending for the fiscal year beginning July 1. Senators are scheduled to debate a bill on Friday that would incorporate items that negotiators have been…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Senate is preparing for a key procedural vote determining whether lawmakers can debate compromise income tax cuts. Senate President Steve Morris said his chamber will vote Friday on suspending a legislative rule requiring all House and Senate negotiators to agree to a compromise before it can be debated. Democratic negotiators have refused to sign off on the tax plan. The compromise decreases individual income tax rates and eliminates income taxes for 191,000 businesses over six years. It’s an alternative to a bill approved by legislators last week to make the same reductions in one year…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas Senate Majority Leader Jay Emler remains hospitalized because of high blood pressure. Emler’s office confirmed Friday that he would not return to the Statehouse for the day’s business. It said he remains at an area hospital, but declined to identify which one, citing his need for privacy and rest. The Lindsborg Republican has been absent from the Statehouse since Wednesday afternoon. Emler, a 62-year-old attorney, was first elected to the Senate in 2000 and is serving his third term. He’s in his second year as majority leader. He previously served as chairman of the budget-writing Senate…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Sedgwick County prosecutors say three teens who faked a robbery at a Subway restaurant in Wichita were playing a dangerous game called “Urban Skittles.” A statement from the district attorney’s office says the game originated in England. It is played by one or more youths who run into a random business and order everyone to the floor. The youths then count the number of people on the floor before leaving. The Wichita Eagle reports that’s what happened Monday when a young man walked into the restaurant, put his hand in his pocket and ordered everyone down. Police…
LUCAS, Kan. (AP) The quirky Kansas town of Lucas is planning a daylong celebration of bathrooms. The center of attention at the June 2 party will be a blinged-out giant toilet. The town of 407 residents is selling chances on eBay to have the first flush of the toilet. The Wichita Eagle reports the town has spent four years constructing a massive building designed to look like a toilet. A giant toilet paper roll sits outside. The toilet’s 14-foot mosaic lid is always up. Every wall is decorated and the building includes a chandelier made from the bottom of wine…
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) Vandals broke or knocked over 67 headstones some marking the graves of Civil War veterans at a cemetery in Hutchinson. The damage was discovered Wednesday at Eastside Cemetery. The cemetery manager says 21 of the markers were broken and the rest knocked over. Hutchinson police believe the vandalism happened late Tuesday or early Wednesday. No one has been arrested. The Hutchinson News reports many of the markers that were broken are from the 1800s and mark the graves of Civil War or Mexican-American War veterans. Eastside is the oldest cemetery in Hutchinson and also hold the graves…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas House has approved a bill that makes several changes to hunting and fishing regulations. The bill approved Thursday would increase the age to qualify for free hunting and fishing licenses from 65 to 75. And it would give those 65 to 75 the chance to buy annual licenses or a $38 lifetime pass. The Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism says free hunting and fishing for seniors is causing budget problems for the department, which receives no state general funds. The Wichita Eagle reports the bill also establishes a project to study allowing crossbows during…
SALINA, Kan. (AP) The third of four suspects in the death of a Salina man will serve two years of probation. Twenty-year-old Tyeler Cookson also was ordered Thursday to perform 40 hours of community service for the death of 48-year-old Robert Unselt, who was killed in January during a fight. Before his sentencing, Cookson testified that Unselt died after hitting his head on the pavement during the fight. He said Unselt started the confrontation with the four men. The Salina Journal reports Unselt’s family has disputed that contention. His wife has filed a $1 million wrongful death lawsuit against the…