City announces decline in sales tax collections

Lawrence sales tax collections in September were down more than $171,000 from a year ago, the city reported Wednesday.

The city collected $1,342,891 from its own sales tax collections and its share of the countywide sales tax, down from $1,514,507 the same month in 2001.

The decline put the city behind last year’s overall pace. Through September 2001, the city had collected $13,204,466. So far this year, collections total $13,086,037.

The city budget anticipates a total of $17.65 million in sales tax collections this year.

Schools

State budget worsens outlook for district

The state’s increasingly bleak budget situation makes it more important for the Lawrence school district to tighten its belt, district officials said Wednesday.

The state budget deficit could be as much as $200 million before the fiscal year ends June 30.

Supt. Randy Weseman said 10 vacant positions for special education paraprofessionals were cut Tuesday.

Scott Morgan, Lawrence school board president, said the growing state budget gap would likely mean harsh decisions in early 2003.

“It’s going to make last year’s budget look like a picnic,” he said.

The school board approved about $3 million in budget cuts and student fee increases to balance the 2002-2003 budget. Since then, the district had to respond to Gov. Bill Graves’ $41 million cut in state school spending by enacting a hiring freeze and dipping into its reserve fund.

Politics

County Republicans open campaign headquarters

Douglas County Republicans celebrated the opening of their Douglas County headquarters Wednesday with a kick-off and open house.

About 30 people attended festivities at the headquarters, 4821 W. Sixth St., Suite E.

On hand was Republican candidate Sen. Sandy Praeger, who is running for state insurance commissioner. Reps. Tom Sloan and Ralph Tanner also made appearances at the event.

The T

City transit system to show appreciation

Officials will celebrate the city bus system today with “Communities in Motion,” a local part of a national initiative to educate communities about the value of public transportation.

Staff and board members from the T will thank riders for their support and hand out prizes. All riders will be treated to candies, and a prize patrol will be on routes awarding shirts to riders at random times.

Three events are planned to show how to use the T. An off-duty bus will be on site at 10 a.m. at Brandon Woods Retirement Community, 1501 Inverness Drive; 11:30 a.m. at Hallmark Cards, 101 McDonald Drive; and 2 p.m. at Babcock Place, 1700 Mass.

Visitors will receive a tour of the bus, hear a presentation by staff and have the opportunity to ask questions and receive door prizes.