Under the dome

Who’s on defense?

Atty. Gen. Phill Kline has gone out of his way to note that the Legislature is not a defendant in the school finance lawsuit, in which a judge has declared the method of school funding unconstitutional.

Kline has implied that plaintiff attorneys made a mistake by not naming the Legislature in the lawsuit. Alan Rupe, an attorney representing the plaintiff school districts, says he doesn’t understand why Kline says that.

“You sue the state of Kansas, and that’s who we sued,” Rupe said. He said that Kline’s position was indicative of the state’s intransigence.

“This is yet another indication of how far the Legislature will go to keep from writing a check to the kids of Kansas for an adequate and equal education,” he said.

The governor’s kids

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius had education ralliers in Overland Park in the palm of her hand when she spoke about how she “trusted Kansas public schools to prepare her children to reach their God-given potential.”

Sebelius said a first-grade teacher helped her son Ned develop confidence. Now 22, Ned recently graduated from Georgetown University and has been working on the John Kerry presidential campaign.

Sebelius said her youngest son, John, was helped by a high school teacher who recognized his artistic talent. Now 19, John attends the Rhode Island School of Design.

“They’re on their way to successful lives,” Sebelius said. “As governor, all Kansas children are my children. I wake up every day focused on what I believe is my most important job, and that is making sure that all of them have the opportunity that my sons had.”

Kerr on gay marriage

After the House approved by more than a two-thirds’ vote a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, Senate President Dave Kerr, a Republican from Hutchinson, said he expected the proposal to go to the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee for consideration and then to the Senate floor.

Asked how he would vote on it, Kerr said: “This is a process that is always better with a little bit of mystery.”

Stem cells

Kerr hinted there may be some conflict between scientists and anti-abortion advocates over the extent of stem cell research that could be involved in the major bioscience research bill that was approved by the House and is now being considered by the Senate. But Kerr said he didn’t expect any major problems. “We’re staying in close touch with all of the parties,” he said.

Wilson headed home

At least one legislative leader won’t be coming back next year. State Rep. R.J. Wilson, a Democrat from Pittsburg, has filed to run for Crawford County Clerk.

In the Legislature four years, Wilson had risen to assistant minority leader in the House.

Schedule

Things to watch:

• Presentation of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ budget-efficiency recommendations, House Appropriations Committee, 9 a.m. today, Room 514.
• Hearing on SB 337, to repeal the crime of hypnotic exhibition, House Corrections and Juvenile Justice, 1:30 p.m. today, Room 241.
• Deliberations on public schools and higher education budgets, House Education Budget, 1:30 p.m. today, Room 514.
• Hearing on HB 2583 dealing with recreational trails, Senate Natural Resources, 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Room 423.
• Discussion and possible action on SB 499, Sebelius’ expanded gambling bill, Senate Federal and State Affairs, 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Room 231.
• Hearing on substitute for HB 2647, which is the bill to promote bioscience research, Senate Commerce, 8:30 a.m. Friday, Room 123.