Natural History Museum open during spring break

Kansas University’s Natural History Museum is one campus feature that isn’t closed for spring break this week. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

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Legislature: Committee recommends county ECO2 ballot question

Topeka A House committee has recommended approval of a bill that would allow a one-quarter cent increase in the sales tax in Douglas County provided that revenue from the levy goes toward purchasing land for open-space preservation and economic development.

The legislation was adopted earlier this week by the House Taxation Committee and will now go to the full House for consideration.

City, county and Lawrence Chamber of Commerce officials support the measure that was developed by the ECO2 task force.

If approved by the Legislature and signed into law, the measure would allow Douglas County commissioners to place on the ballot a question asking voters whether they want to raise the sales tax by one-quarter of a cent.

The legislation is needed because, under state law, counties can add 1 cent to the 4.9 cent state sales tax. That has already been done in Douglas County. To raise the tax rate more requires legislative approval.

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State budget: State employee union opposes unpaid time off

Topeka The state’s largest public employees union told lawmakers Wednesday to look somewhere other than furloughs to help bridge a $700-million budget shortfall.

Kansas lawmakers are considering cuts to all areas of government, including a $36-million plan to force state employees to take days off without pay.

But Betty Vines, president of the Kansas Association of Public Employees, said state employees are already hurting from inadequate pay increases and higher insurance costs.

Vines said it was unfair to cut pay when the state was planning a $135 million restoration of the Capitol, including a tunnel and parking garage.

KAPE, which has 20,000 members, urged the Legislature to re-evaluate the tax structure and step up efforts to enforce collection of taxes owed the state.

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Schools: Grant funds officers in junior high buildings

Lawrence Police will be able to add School Resource Officers to its four junior high schools with the help of a U.S. Department of Justice COPS in Schools grant, it was announced Wednesday.

The Lawrence department, which already has officers at Lawrence and Free State high schools, will receive $500,000 to provide all or part of the salary and benefits for the extra officers for three years.

The Osawatomie Department of Public Safety also will receive a COPS in Schools grant of $118,499 for one officer.

School Resource Officers teach crime substance abuse prevention classes, monitor and counsel troubled students and help build respect and understanding between law enforcement and students.

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Pump Patrol: Journal-World seeks the lowest gasoline prices

The Journal-World has found a Lawrence area gasoline price as low as $1.23 at several North Third Street stations.

If you find a lower price, please call us at 832-7154. Be prepared to leave the name and address of the business and the price. Or go to www.ljworld.com/

section/gasoline to join our Pump Patrol message board.