Topeka ? 33 – The state Supreme Court has given lawmakers until April 12 to produce a constitutional school finance plan.

Thursday’s Highlights

• The Kansas Senate voted 34-3 in favor of a bill to allow Kansas University classified staff to leave the state’s civil service system. The measure now goes to the House for consideration. Under the current civil service system, classified employees receive pay raises that are approved by the Legislature for all state employees. Under the bill, any plan to convert to an unclassified system would have to be approved by the employees and the Kansas Board of Regents.
• A House committee recommended approval of a law requiring full disclosure of public employees’ compensation. The measure has been approved by the Senate and will now go to the full House. It is called the “Lew Perkins Provision” after the Kansas University athletic director. The World Company, which publishes the Journal-World and operates Sunflower Broadband Channel 6, filed a lawsuit last year to force disclosure of Perkins’ compensation package.

Today’s Schedule

10:30 a.m.: Senate Ways and Means considers budget subcommittee reports on corrections facilities.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I just cannot believe the court would do this.” – Atty. Gen. Phill Kline, on Kansas Supreme Court lifting gag order on Kline’s request of medical records from two abortion clinics.