WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2002
STATENEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN * 7A
Proposed tax increase draws little support
The Associated Press
TOPEKA - Republican leaders in both legislative chambers were having trouble building support for the tax increases necessary to finance a budget lawmakers already have passed.
A proposal before the Senate would increase taxes $335 million to help finance government programs. But GOP leaders were not sure it would pass and were trying to draft an alternative.
"We're still trying to devise the most correct plan," said Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee Chairman Dave Corbin, R-Towanda.
Meanwhile, House Republican leaders hoped to build their own package by dealing with Democrats.
The Senate plan would increase a wide array of taxes to eliminate a $290 million hole in the budget legislators sent to Gov. Bill Graves last week. That
budget would appropriate $4.4 billion for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
The bill would increase the sales tax to 5.2 percent from 4.9 percent and increase the cigarette tax by 65 cents a pack,to 89 cents. Individual income taxes also would increase.
The Senate had been scheduled to debate the bill Tuesday, but Majority Leader Lana Olean, R-Manhattan, said members need more time to review it and prepare amendments.
"I don't anticipate that we will run the bill," she said. "But I want people to know it will be soon."
In the House, GOP leaders continued meetings with Democrats to see whether they strike a deal with the minority party.
Legislators must decide how much they'll raise taxes, then approve a budget cleanup bill, to finish their business for the year. Tuesday was the seventh day of their wrap-up session and the
97th legislative day for the year.
The Senate approved and sent the House its version of the cleanup bill Saturday after adding a $20 increase in aid to public schools, making it $3,890 per pupil. Under the budget that went to Graves, aid would remain at $3,870 per pupil.
House Speaker Kent Glasscock said Monday that he doesn't plan to have has chamber take up the budget cleanup bill until it passes a tax package.
Glasscock and other GOP leaders met for about 45 minutes Monday with Democratic leaders about the budget and tax issues.
Minority Leader Jim Garner, D-COffeyville, said some Democrats consider $20 per pupil a "token" increase in aid to public schools.
And Rep. Bruce Larkin, D-Bailevyville, top Democrat on the House Taxation Committee, said some Democrats still want a $100 increase, to $3,970 per pupil.
But the House has yet to accept
"I'd like to have more for public schools, but at this point, it's all about revenue," said Glasscock, R-Manhattan.
There are tax issues, too. Democrats have consistently argued that any package should include an income tax increase and not rely only on sales and excise taxes, which many Democrats view as unfair to working families.
Glasscock that Democratic leaders have not presented a clear picture of what they want, making it difficult to strike a deal.
Larkin called Monday's meeting "very unproductive," then acknowledged that Democrats may not know exactly what they want.
"There just hasn't been a general consensus." he said.
Sitting out the negotiations were conservative Republicans, who have said any deal between moderate GOP leaders and Democrats probably will add money to the budget.
Years of "intense study" (last minute cramming) do NOT improve long-term memory! So, remember Quintiles for your cash-flow needs this summer!
STUDENTS & COLLEGE GRADS...
ONE FINAL REMINDER!
Participate in a Clinical Research Trial & Earn Up To $1,000 or more!
You may qualify if you're:
• A healthy adult, age 18 or older
• Taking no or few medications
• No more than 25 lbs overweight
- Available for an in-house stay.
Of the total, $120 million would be used to build research
Call Today!
(913) 894-5533
(800) 292-5533
The measure, approved on a 101-23 House vote, would permit the state to issue $133 million in bonds.
The state would be obligated to pay off $50 million in bonds, with payments of up to $10 million a year, starting in 2004. Federal funds and private donations
"Igive the Legislature credit for having the courage to make a bold move at this time," said Kim Wilcox, president and chief executive officer for the Board of Regents, which oversees the higher education system.
Join the Search for Better Health!
TOPEKA — A bill authorizing bonds to build three university research centers and improve a fourth won House approval yesterday and went to Gov. Bill Graves.
Research center bonds approved by House
"I think this is one of the shining lights to come out of the session," said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Kenny Wilk, R-Lansing. "There aren't many."
Operation of the new centers would be funded from federal research grants.
The Associated Press
The National Institute for Aviation Research in Wichita would receive the remaining $13 million for improvements, including a crash testing lab and a tunnel for testing the effects of ice on aircraft wings.
Lawmakers had already given up on providing an extra $46 million in aid to universities, community colleges and vocational colleges promised by a 1999 law reorganizing the higher education system.
facilities on biomedicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, food safety at Kansas State University and aviation engineering at Wichita State University.
Wilcox and other proponents saw the bill as something the Legislature could do for universities given a projected $768 million budget shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
would cover the remainder of the debt.
Others said research done at the new centers would help stimulate the economy.
"We're hoping the economy turns around," said Rep. Bob Grant, D-Cherokee. "I hope this one of the points that turns it around."
The measure sent to Graves was negotiated in a House-Senate conference committee that worked out differences between the chambers, including how the state would pay its portion of the bonds.
The negotiators settled on using general tax dollars, as the Senate preferred, rather than lottery profits as the House wanted.
The Associated Press
Prison inmates teach dogs obedience skills
dogs at a time are in the program.
NORTON — At first glance, one would not know that behind the steel bars, chain link fence and razor wire of Norton Correctional Facility, more than 200 dogs have been saved from a life of cruelty, homelessness or even euthanasia.
The Second Chance Homeless Pet Society was started in 1997, and on average, 20 men per year teach dogs obedience and social skills so they can be adopted into someone's home. On average, 10
"It is good for the dogs and gives me something to do with my time," said Tom Zimmerman.
Serving a 10-year sentence for aggravated robbery, Zimmerman spends 24 hours a day, seven days a week training Tasha, a three-year-old black Labrador he received in January. Tasha lives in Zimmerman's cell and accompanies him to his job as a clerk in the admitting and dismissal area. The only time she is not with him is when he eats, attends chapel services or during visitation day.
During these times, alternate handlers care for the dogs.
Zimmerman has four years left on his sentence, and Tasha is the ninth dog he has trained.
"It seems like each dog has a different past, and you have to learn what works for it," Zimmerman said.
Although located within the confines of a state prison, Second Chance receives no state funding. It is a non-profit organization that relies totally on donations and fund-raising events. The program's mission is to prevent cruelty to animals while at the same time help find homes for unwanted and neglected dogs. It also provides education to the public on proper pet care and the importance of spaying and neutering all pets.
"A group of ladies in town asked about a program for here, and we gave a presentation to the warden, brought puppies to the Norton Correctional Facility, and it has snowballed from there," said Linda Terrell, an NCF employee and Second Chance board member.
student union activities
Congratulations to the recently selected 2002-2003 Student Union Activities Board members!
Fallon Farokhi President
Molly Hess Vice President for Administrative Affairs
Aaron Mesmer Vice President for Membership Development
Lauren Stewart Vice President for University Relations
Megan Fullager Feature Films Coordinator
Lisa Thalhammer Fine Arts Coordinator
Quinn Gorges Forums Coordinator
Ryan Foley Live Music Coordinator
Shannon Clayton Public Relations Corordinator
Ryan Doherty Recreation and Travel Coordinator
Andrea Shores Special Events Coordinator
Isaac Dill Spectrum Films Coordinator
We are looking forward to a great year! A big thank you to the outgoing SUA board for their work and dedication Thank you KU for helping SUA make this a memorable year!