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KS STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TOPEKA, KS 66612
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
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TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 1995
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'Motor Voter'on hold in Kansas
Legislators reject unfunded mandate
By Teresa Veazey Kansan staff writer
As states such as Georgia and West Virginia embrace the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 — and voter registration in both states skyrockets — Kansas has yet to comply with act, calling it an unfunded mandate.
The mandate includes the "motor voter" law, which enables people to register to vote when they apply for or renew driver's licenses.
But legislators say that implementing the plan will cost an estimated $2 million the first year and generate a flurry of additional paperwork. Earlier this month, a Kansas Senate Committee
dropped legislation that would have complied with the federal mandate from this session's agenda.
State Sen. Janis Hardenburger, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Elections, Congressional and Legislative Apportionment and Governmental Standards, said the act would create additional paperwork because state agencies would be forced to keep records of newly registered voters.
"We just decided this time that we would not pass the legislation that they wanted us to pass," Hardenburger said. "The committee supported my decision not to act upon the bill."
Hardenburger also said the mandate had come without any financial support from the federal government. By taking the legislation off the agenda, the state will be sending a message about unfunded federal mandates, she said.
"I have worked very,very hard to keep
Kansas from complying with this legislation," Hardenburger said. "I think there's a better way to register."
State Sen. Bud Burke, R-Olathe and president of the Kansas Senate, said the cost of implementing the mandate should be weighed against the cost of a fighting off a lawsuit by the federal government for not complying with the mandate. But the cost for counties to implement the mandate would be greater than dealing with a lawsuit, he said.
"If we have to go to court, it won't be a costly or lengthy process," Burke said. "Our concern is with the cost to the counties in Kansas."
Hardenburger said the U.S. Department of Justice was monitoring the state to see whether the Kansas Legislature would pass the act. If the act is not passed by the state, Kansas would be involved in a federal lawsuit, she said.
Burke said he would not override the
committee's decision to drop the legislation from the agenda, even if it would mean a lawsuit against the state. Burke said Kansas' refusal to pass the legislation was sending the message to the federal government that unfunded mandates were not wanted.
But Marc Wilson, Hiawatha senior and legislative director for the Kansas Student Votes Coalition,said he was just as frustrated with the Legislature's stubbornness on the issue. He said that if the federal government sued Kansas for failing to comply with the act, the mandate would prevail.
The act makes good sense because it would increase voter registration — which will be the first step in increasing voter turnout, he said.
"Translating that into votes, that's a separate issue," he said. "But you can't vote on election day without having registered."
'FORREST GUMP' BEATS PULP OUT OF 'FICTION'
VIEWERS NEED A HANK-Y, BUT IT'S NOTHING BUT 'B
The Associated Press
Knight-Ridder Tribune, Brian James / KANBAN
"I feel as though I'm standing on magic legs in a special effects process that is too unbelievable to imagine and far too costly to make a reality," an emotional Hanks told the cheering audience in his acceptance speech.
SOURCE: Motion Picture Academy
LOS ANGELES — "Forrest Gump," the surprise blockbuster about a slow-witted Southerner, won six Oscars on Monday, including best picture, and made Tom Hanks only the second actor to claim the top prize two years in a row.
As the title character in "Gump," Hanks
'Forrest Gump' stars Tom Hanks, left, and Gary Sinise embraced before last night's Academy Awards. Hanks won the best actor award for the second consecutive year, becoming on the second person ever to achieve such recognition.
played a man with a low I.Q. whose positive outlook on life helps him accomplish amazing things amid a tableau of historical events. It was a dramatic contrast to his Oscar-winning role in 1994 as a lawyer dying of AIDS in "Philadelphia," and enabled him to match a back-to-back triumph first achieved by Spencer Tracy in 1937-38.
"Believe me, the power and the pleasure and the emotion of this moment is a constant the speed of light," Hanks said, tears welling in his eyes. "It will never be diminished, nor will my appreciation and the meaning between two simple words that I can only offer you here: thank you."
Jessica Lange was named best actress for her role as an unstable, frustrated Army wife in "Blue Sky," while supporting awards went to Diane Wiest, the grandly melodramatic stage star in "Bullets Over Broadway," and Martin Landau, a washed-up, drug-addicted Bela Lugosi in "Ed Wood."
Robert Zemeckis won as best director for "Gump," whose leading total of six also included prizes for adapted screenplay, film editing and visual effects.
Zemeckis gave thanks to audiences "all around the world. In historic numbers you have embraced a film that at its heart offers a human, life-affirming, hopeful story."
"Gump," which opened last summer to mix reviews, has grossed more than $317 million, putting it No. 4 on the list of all-time top moneymakers, and drew a near-record 13 Academy nominations. But it was unable to turn that baker's dozen into enough Oscars to come close to challenging Hollywood's most honored film, "Ben Hur," the 1959 release that won 11 Academy Awards.
"Blue Sky" took an unlikely path to the Oscars: It was shelved for three years because of studio financial troubles; its director, Tony Richardson, died before it was released, and it was a box-office flop despite good reviews.
Professor's condition moved to fair
Architecture school misses the outspoken instructor
By Brian Vandervilet Kansan staff writer
A KU professor now is listed in fair condition after suffering a heart attack on Feb. 20.
Victor Papanek, constant professor of architecture, has been at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., since the heart attack.
Hospital officials could give no further information on Papanek's medical condition.
Papanek, who is known for his common sense approach to design, has written eight books that
have been published internationally. His most popular book, "Design for the Real World," has been translated into 23 languages, making it the most widely read book on design in the world.
John Gaunt, deam of architecture, said the absence of the Papanek during the past few weeks had been felt among faculty and students.
"He is an integral part of the school."
Victor Papanek
school, could say.
He said that
Papanek was getting better, but it was difficult for him to communicate.
Malcom Lodwick,
Lawrence graduate student, has had two classes with Papanek and said he was looking forward to his return. A few weeks ago, he sent Papanek a catalog from the San Francisco Museum of Art with the hopes of cheering him up.
"He's a fighter.I think he'll get through it."
"It had some hokie designs and some
Dennis Domer associate dean of architecture
absolutely ridiculous stuff," he said.
Papanek has taught his students the importance of design that functions for everyone, Lodwick said. Papanek has always been an advocate of product designs that can be used by the disabled or impoverished. Lodwick said Papanek had invented a water-pump using a rubber tire for use in third-world nations.
"Some people teach from a technical perspective, others teach from a theoretical perspective — Victor's position is very humanistic," Lodwick said. "No one would even think of trying to fill his shoes."
The three courses taught by Papanek this semester have not been canceled. Kent Spreckelmeyer, associate professor of architecture, is one of a group of professors who now instruct Papanek's classes. He said it had been impossible to replace the outspoken Papanek.
"He brings a perspective of architecture which is very much outside the traditional viewpoint," he said. "He acts as a true critic."
In the past, Papanek spoke against the absurdity of design work like parakeet diapers and batterypowered cake frosters.
Dennis Domer, associate dean of architecture, has known Papanek for 15 years. He is optimistic that Papanek will return next semester.
"He's a fighter," Domer said. "I think he'll get through it."
Maintaining a positive self image, especiallywhen performing in front of hundreds of people, is a daily battle for one actress at the University of Kansas.
Page 8A
Commission candidate fights on
By Sarah Morrison Kansan staff writer
Months of campaigning for a seat on the Lawrence city commission have been exhausting, he said. He ran his hands through his hair and shook his head, as if he was not quite awake vet.
Allen Levine is a bit fatigued.
Levine has been doing a lot of fighting lately. His battle fighting for the causes he believes in — like extending anti-discrimination protection to people on the basis of sexual orientation — even if those causes are unpopular and even if they might have cost him votes in the Feb. 28 primary election.
"I am sorry I feel a little bit out of it today."
Levine said. "I think I am fighting off the flu."
Of the six candidates who made it past the primary, Levine was the only candidate who solidly supported amending the city's human relations ordinance to include such protection. And of those candidates, Levine came in with the fewest votes.
Candidate John Nalbandian, who finished
first in the primary, has said he would be inclined to support such a change, but he has not come out in full support of it.
Although many who voted in the primary election voted for candidates who opposed the amendment change, Levine said his stance on the issue would help him in the main election, when the voter turnout is expected to be higher than the primary.
But, Levine said, the ordinance must be amended.
"Governments are supposed to protect their citizens," he said. "It is the moral obligation of government to do that."
"I really do feel that there are many more people in Lawrence that support it than there are people who oppose it," Levine said. "The outcome of the primary should serve as a wake-up call for voters who want to see a city commission that cares about all people."
Former commission candidate Frank Doden, who finished 10th in the primary and did not advance to the main election, agreed
See LEVINE. Page 3A