Sebelius reviews report on state’s vehicle fleet

Topeka — Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Friday was given a report on the state’s vehicle fleet, a controversial subject lately because of revelations about how many cars the state owns.

Sebelius declined to release any information about the report. She also met with Secretary of Administration Howard Fricke to discuss the vehicle situation.

Fricke has said the state has too many vehicles, with 8,661, and that hundreds are under-used and may not be needed. Some of the state’s vehicles, idle in a parking lot in north Topeka, are pictured above.

Sebelius spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran said the governor would go over Fricke’s report and announce a decision soon about what to do with the vehicles.

“This is ongoing. There will be real, concrete changes in this system and others throughout state government,” Corcoran said.

Schools

Women voters group questions proposed tax

The League of Women Voters of Lawrence/Douglas County is questioning the wisdom of adopting a local sales tax to support public schools.

Marci Francisco, president of the local chapter, said the Kansas Legislature should be responsible for raising additional revenue needed for schools in the state.

The Lawrence school board is urging adoption of a half-cent increase in the Lawrence sales tax. It could raise about $5 million annually for the district. It would be similar to a sales tax for education passed in Johnson County.

“We do believe that the districts or schools should be funded on an equal basis statewide,” Francisco said. “Using a local sales tax makes that more difficult.”

If the Lawrence City Commission agrees to put a sales tax to a public vote, the measure won’t be placed on a ballot until 2004.

It could be added to ballots for the August primary or November general election. An alternative would be to have a special election in Lawrence, which would cost about $20,000.