School finance countdown

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

Wednesday’s highlights

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has decided to let legislators offer proposals to expand gambling and not produce a bill herself.

Before the session, Sebelius had proposed a compact with the Kickapoo and Sac and Fox tribes to build a $210 million hotel-casino resort near the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. But legislative leaders declined to approve the proposal before the start of the session.

• Two meeting rooms were packed with people wanting to speak on two controversial subjects. A hearing was held on a measure to abolish the death penalty and opponents of a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage were given their turn at the microphone. No action was taken on either bill.

Quote of the day

“This statute, in a Christian state and a Christian nation, is an immoral contradiction.”

— Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, on the death penalty law.

Today’s schedule

9 a.m.: Kansas Water Authority considering study of Kansas River.

1 p.m.: Kansas Atty. Gen. Phill Kline and Kansas Press Assn. unveil proposals concerning Kansas Open Records Law.

1:30 p.m.: Senate Education Committee; report from Deputy Education Commissioner Dale Dennis on cost of providing a suitable education.