House gives initial OK to security committee

The House gave tentative approval Tuesday to a resolution that would create a joint legislative committee on state security.

The proposed 23-member panel would meet throughout the year and would report on and recommend security measures to the Legislature.

Final House action on the measure is expected today. Passage would send it to the Senate.

Senate President Dave Kerr, R-Hutchinson, supports creating a panel but said he is dismayed by its proposed size.

Resolution on Joint Committee on Kansas Security is HCR 5048.

Senate T-shirt intended to lighten up session

Kansas senators have been known to throw the bull around.

Now they will be honored for it, sort of.

Sen. John Vratil, R-Leawood, purchased a T-shirt that says “Buy Bull Beer” and brought it to the Senate floor Tuesday so that his colleagues can pass it around as a revolving prize for the senator most full of bull each day.

Vratil made the first award to Sen. Paul Feleciano, D-Wichita, who is well-known in the Capitol for a sometimes florid or exuberant debating style.

Feleciano took it in good humor, and Vratil said he was trying to add a “little levity” to the Senate, which has been fighting the past few days about redistricting.

The recipient of the T-shirt gets to pass it to another senator on the next day.