Two Democratic school proposals defeated
In Topeka on Wednesday two Democratic efforts to boost public school funding failed in separate votes. The House rejected HB 2732 to require state payment of 90 percent of extra special education costs starting July 1 2001 by a 60 to 63 vote, sponsored by Rep Henry Helgerson. The Senate blocked SB 450 to raise elementary and secondary per pupil budgets by 50 dollars for 2001-02, a party line 13 to 27.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Topeka
House
Henry Helgerson
Wichita
Swan Sports Hall of Fame
Bill Graves
Gerson
Jim Garner
Coffeyville
Senate
Anthony Hensley
Senate Education Committee
Hensley
Ink.org
Panel alters Graves proposal in pensions plan shift
A Kansas House Appropriations subcommittee endorsed suspending the death and disability benefits fund payments for a year and delaying a scheduled pension contribution rate increase for teachers and state workers. The panel favored using settlement money to support KPERS retirees and avoid a rate freeze, while rejecting a 13th check plan amid criticism it was a budget tactic. The move aims to free funds for schools and social services while sparking concern over potential future spikes in benefits.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Topeka
Bill Graves
House
Appropriations Committee
Graves
Kansas Public Employeesi Reticement System
KPERS
Senate
Ways and Means Committee
Mittee
Epers W Board of Trustees
Lloyd Stone
R-Emporia
Appropriations
Ed McKechnie
Pittsburg
House endorses ethics budget for state agency
The House Appropriations Committee backed Gov Graves budget for the Governmental Ethics Commission to mend a funding shortfall after a decade reliant on lobbyist and PAC fees. Senate panel already endorsed a similar plan, with future funding options including higher fees or tax dollars under review.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Topeka
State
Ethics Commission
House Appropriations Committee
Bill Graves
Senate
Ways and Means
Commission
Graves
Derailment of Amtrak Southwest Chief near Topeka investigated
Investigators review track and interview crew after 15 of 26 cars derailed near a cornfield south of Topeka. No fatalities among 155 passengers and 15 crew. 29 injured. Amtrak, BNSF and federal officials lead probe as one passenger remains in critical condition.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carbondale
Amtrak
Topeka
George Black
National Transportation Safety Board
Federal Railroad Administration
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
BNSF
Los Angeles
Kathy Lambert
Stroh
Ind
Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center
Jeanne Walker
Raven Freeman
Debbie Hare
Lawmakers view video of Stovall in tobacco case
Four Kansas lawmakers watched a 22 minute tape tied to tobacco litigation involving Attorney General Carla Stovall. Critics say the video misrepresents risk and profit, referencing Stovall's 1996 news release about pursuing millions from six tobacco companies. Kansas could receive over 1.7 billion over 25 years from the national settlement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Stovall
Topeka
Carla Stovall
Mary Tritsch
Washington, D.C
John Campbell
Kansas
Entz and Chanay
Tony Powell
Susan Wagle
Entz and
Chanay
Powell
Aurand
R-Courtland
Henry Helgerson
Wichita
Wagle
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Carol Williams
Melvin Neufeld
R-Ingalls
JRS
Pacific
Sionap
Onealical Nets
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