School finance countdown

69 days: The state Supreme Court has given lawmakers until April 12 to produce a constitutional school finance plan.

Wednesday’s highlights

The House sent a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage to voters. The question will be on the April 5 ballot. Supporters say it is needed to protect marriage. Opponents say it is discriminatory and unconstitutional.

School officials and soft drink makers packed a House committee hearing to testify against legislation requiring removal of soft drinks from vending machines in schools. The bill is aimed at providing healthy drinks, but school officials say the schools make a lot of money from vending contracts. No action was taken.

Today’s schedule

7:30 a.m.: U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, speaks to joint agriculture committees

9:15 a.m.: Gov. Kathleen Sebelius welcomes Kansas Farm Bureau

10:30 a.m.: Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee hearing on anti-racial profiling legislation

Quote of the day

“This is bigotry wrapped in prayer.”

— Topeka attorney Pedro Irigonegaray on the proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.