Government

Negotiators Agree On NBAF Bonds

Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:42:04 +0000

Kansas House and Senate budget negotiators have agreed to authorize issuing $202 million in bonds to build a federal biodefense research lab in Manhattan.

Statehouse Republicans Gather In Rare Meeting

Stephen Koranda — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:21:05 +0000

It was an unusual day at the Kansas Statehouse Thursday, as Republicans from the House and Senate gathered to smooth out differences between the two chambers on tax and budget issues. Some lawmakers said it had been at least seven years since Republicans from the two chambers met as a group to discuss policy.

“It’s fun as we go out to our dinners and take potshots at each other almost as if we’re competitors," said Ty Masterson, a Republican from Andover who heads the Kansas Senate budget committee. "But in reality, we’re all part of the same team, we are the legislative branch.”

Possible Progress Made In Statehouse Tax Negotiations

Stephen Koranda — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:41:48 +0000

After making little progress for weeks, public negotiations on taxes have continued in the Kansas Statehouse.

Legislative leaders and the governor had been meeting behind closed doors, but this week it appeared those talks had stalled.

House and Senate negotiators held a public meeting Wednesday and House members offered a new compromise.

The House and Senate have been divided on the issue of sales taxes.

KS Supreme Court Justice, Senator Butting Heads

Stephen Koranda — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:13:42 +0000

The chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court and a prominent legislator are butting heads. At issue are allegations made the the justice.

Kan. GOP Leaders Say Tax Talks Have Stalled

Associated Press — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:47:41 +0000

The Kansas Legislature's top Republican leaders are acknowledging that their private negotiations on tax issues have hit an impasse.

Senate President Susan Wagle of Wichita told fellow GOP senators Tuesday that her chamber and the House don't even agree on assumptions to use in projecting state revenues and spending.

Republican leaders want to follow up on last year's cuts in personal income taxes with additional reductions. To stabilize the state budget after that, the Senate has approved a bill canceling decrease in the temporary sales tax, which is scheduled for July 1.

KS Senate Votes to Approve Additional NBAF Bonds

Person: Stephen Koranda — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:27:33 +0000

The Kansas Senate has given first-round approval to a bill that would issue $200 million in additional state bonds to help pay for a federal research lab to be built in Manhattan.

Democratic Leader Upset Over Private Tax Talks

Associated Press — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:43:54 +0000

A top Kansas Democrat is criticizing Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and GOP legislative leaders for holding private talks to resolve tax issues.

Lawmakers Making Little Progress On Big Issues

Stephen Koranda — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:51:36 +0000

Kansas lawmakers returned to the Statehouse on Wednesday, but reached the weekend having made little progress on the major issues that remain for this legislative session.

Gov's Office Lobbies For NBAF Bond Support

Associated Press — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:47:48 +0000

Gov. Sam Brownback's chief of staff says the latest cost estimates for a new, national biosecurity lab and commitments from federal officials about its funding are "pretty solid."

Kansas Senate Committee Adds Restrictions To Bonds For Bio-Security Lab

Associated Press — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:14:14 +0000

The Senate Ways and Means Committee approved a bill Wednesday that authorizes an additional $202 million in bonds for a national bio-defense lab, but only after adding limits designed to address concerns by conservative Republicans.

Kansas has authorized $105 million in bonds for the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility at Kansas State University. Gov. Brownback and his aides have noted that in 2009,l Kansas agreed to pick up part of the cost as it and multiple states competed for the project.