Topeka ? Monday’s Highlights

A showdown between opponents of abortion and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who supports abortion rights, seemed imminent with the House approving a bill that would increase regulations of abortion clinics. Sebelius vetoed a similar measure in 2003 but has said she now would sign into law a bill that increased regulations for all clinics that handle surgical procedures.

• Campaign finance reports show that the bulk of money being spent in support of a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage is coming from out of state. The Knights of Columbus donated $100,000 to the effort, and the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, spent $23,063. The election is April 5.

Today’s Schedule

10:30 a.m.: Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing on House Bill 2072, authorizing tuition and fee waivers for certain military personnel and dependents.

Quote of the day

“It seems ironic to me that we would take education money out of one pot and put it in another and call it a step forward.” — Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, criticizing a House-approved budget that cuts higher education spending in order to fund public schools.

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