Topeka — Some said they had more pressing business. Others may have been protesting.
Whatever their reasons, about 60 legislators skipped a trip Thursday to Manhattan to hear presentations from state officials and U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts about proposed university research centers.
Some of those 60 or so leaders didn't take roll, so an exact count wasn't available did not like the idea of legislators traveling to Kansas State University to hear what they considered a lobbying pitch.
"I guarantee you, we won't do it for an average constituent," said Rep. John Ballou, R-Gardner. "We make them take off work and come see us."
Others, like Sen. Jim Barone, D-Frontenac, didn't criticize the trip but had other commitments.
Barone said he had meetings with constituents and had already heard the presentations that officials gave in Manhattan.
"In these busy times, it's hard to take time to get information repeated," Barone said.
The trip was organized by the chairmen of the Legislature's two budget committees, Sen. Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, and Rep. Kenny Wilk, R-Lansing. They have said legislators would benefit from getting away from the Statehouse to gather information.
Officials want the state to issue $100 million or more in bonds over five years, starting in 2004, to finance new research centers at the University of Kansas, Kansas State and Wichita State. The centers would be required to obtain federal grants to cover operating expenses.
Rep. Jim Morrison, R-Colby, said the two budget committees should have made the trip but, "I'm not a money person."
Morrison stayed in Topeka to work on water issues on behalf of the city of Hoxie, which is in his district. He also had meetings with Insurance Commissioner Kathleen Sebelius and former Gov. Mike Hayden, who is now serving as secretary of wildlife and parks.
He even returned his pay for the day, $78.75 in salary and $85 to cover expenses.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's a snow day," Morrison said.
Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, said he didn't go because he could listen to the presentations over the Internet.
"It's up to each person to decide whether the trip was worth it," Hensley said.
But Ballou said the trip sent a message that the universities deserve special treatment from the Legislature.
"They're not any more special than the small community colleges and damn sure not more special at least to me than ordinary constituents," Ballou said.
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