Polls are open for election day 2012; State revenues are expected to be forecast today; Kansas officials say there are 2,200 people on waiting list for disability services.
In Sedgwick County, the polls are open for General Election Day - the polls will be open from 7 a.m to 7 p.m. Every voter must now show a photo ID when voting . Advance ballots must be in the Election Office by 7 p.m. Tuesday night. For more information, or to look up your assigned polling location, go to sedgwickcounty.org/elections
New State Revenue Forecast Expected Election Day
Kansas officials and university economists are preparing to issue new revenue projections for Governor Sam Brownback and legislators to use in making budget decisions.
Tuesday's meeting allows the forecasters to revise earlier projections for the fiscal year that began July 1. They'll also issue the first official estimates for the fiscal year that begins in July 2013.
The current forecast was issued in April and predicts the state will collect $6.4 billion in revenues in the current fiscal year. But the projections don't take into the account massive state income tax cuts enacted in May.
The forecasting team includes legislative researchers, members of Brownback's budget stuff, Department of Revenue officials and economists from three state universities.
Kansas Officials Validate 2,200 On Waiting List For People With Disabilities
State officials say the actual number of physically-disabled Kansans legitimately in line for Home and Community-Based Services is about 2,200.
Kansas Turnpike Rates To Increase Feb. 1
Drivers on the Kansas Turnpike will start paying more on February 1.
The Kansas Turnpike Authority announced yesterday that cash rates for cars and light trucks will increase an average of 10 percent. Rates for K-TAG users will increase an average of 5 percent. Drivers of large commercial vehicles will pay about 5 percent more, whether they pay cash or use the electronic K-TAG.
The Turnpike Authority said in a news release yesterday the increased revenue will pay for future capital needs, including deck replacements for some of the turnpike's 348 bridges.
No tax dollars are used to maintain the turnpike.
Kansas Winter Wheat Planting Nearly Finished
Winter wheat planting in Kansas is nearly complete with 98 percent of the crop seeded as of Sunday.
Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reported yesterday that planting of the 2013 crop is running at roughly the same pace as last year, but ahead of the five-year average. About 87 percent of the wheat has now emerged.
The agency rates the emerging crop's condition as 13 percent poor to very poor, 50 percent fair, 35 percent good and 2 percent excellent. Meanwhile, the Kansas corn harvest is 99 percent complete, with cutting more than three weeks ahead of normal.
