Topeka ? Legislators’ attempt to prevent the state from putting a statue of a Kansa Indian on the Statehouse failed Friday, lengthening what already was the longest session ever.

Democrats led an effort in the Senate to override Republican Gov. Bill Graves’ veto of provision in a budget bill to prohibit the Department of Administration from spending state funds on reinforcing the dome. That project costing an estimated $750,000 would be necessary to support the statue, “Ad Astra.”

The vote was 20-13, seven short of the 27 votes necessary for a two-thirds majority in the 40-member Senate.

Legislators had other work waiting for them when they returned to the Statehouse for what was supposed to be brief adjournment ceremonies in both chambers. Their leaders wanted to correct a flaw in a new law designed to permit more exploration for natural gas.

Usually, the adjournment ceremonies don’t count as a day in session, because no real business is conducted. However, with lawmakers taking up business for about 45 minutes Friday, the day counted as the 107th.

‘A frivolous waste’

Many Senate Democrats and conservative Republicans saw the potential expenditure of state funds on reinforcing the Statehouse dome as an example of government waste, especially during tough financial times. Legislators approved $252 million in tax increases this year to prevent cuts in education spending and social services.

“It’s a frivolous waste of taxpayer dollars,” said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka. “In a tight budget year, we need to save money anywhere we can find it.”

Others saw the override effort as an attempt to embarrass Graves, who has never had a veto reversed.

“I think it was an unnecessary gesture of ill will toward the governor,” said Senate Majority Leader Lana Oleen, R-Manhattan.

The Senate’s action deprived the House of a chance to vote to override the veto, which some representatives wanted to do.

When House members began debate of the natural gas legislation, Rep. Ted Powers, R-Mulvane, asked, “Is this the put-the-Injun-on-the-roof bill?” He was told it wasn’t.

Contentious project

Graves is a longtime supporter of the “Ad Astra” project. The 20-foot bronze statue is by Salina sculptor Richard Bergen, and its name comes from the state motto, “Ad astra per aspera,” or “To the stars through difficulties.”

A replica now stands in the rotunda of the Statehouse. Bergen’s work was chosen during a 1988 design contest sponsored by the Kansas Arts Commission, and dedication of the statue originally was set for July 4, 1990. However, opposition from legislators and others and the cost of reinforcing the dome has prevented the statue from going up.

A 1,000-watt light bulb now adorns the top of the Statehouse. A 1901 plan called for a statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, but throughout the decades, legislators have objected, questioning both her morals and saying the state doesn’t want to honor a pagan deity.

Hensley said even with the provision in the budget, the state could take private donations for reinforcing the dome.

“The light bulb has been up there for years,” Hensley joked. “I think it’s sufficient, especially for low-flying planes.”

Flaw in gas law

But even without the attempt to override the veto, legislators would have found themselves working a 107th day because of the flaw in the new natural gas exploration law.

The law would permit the use of a process to pull natural gas out of coal beds. Lawmakers wanted to pass it because industry officials believe there are promising gas reserves in southeast Kansas.

By mistake, legislative staff sent Graves the wrong version of the bill one introduced in the House, not an amended one correcting the flaw and he signed it on May 13.