Lawsuits to follow

Lawmakers have cracked down on signs for sexually oriented businesses, but some legislators expect the proposal to be challenged in court.

Legislation sent to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius states that a sexually oriented business within a mile of any roadway could post two signs no larger than 40 square feet. One sign could have the name, address, phone number and operating hours of the business, while the other sign would have to say the premises are off-limits to minors.

The restrictions could be considered questionable infringements on free speech, Sen. John Vratil, R-Leawood, said. “It’s a lawsuit in the making,” he said, and would cost the state several hundred thousand dollars to defend.

But other senators said it was a risk worth taking.

School comments anger Lawrence schools leader

Lawrence Supt. Randy Weseman was miffed by comments made by Sen. Kay O’Connor, R-Olathe, during debate of a school finance bill when O’Connor said school funding was a “bottomless pit” and school representatives were greedy.

“Typical, mean-spirited, blame someone else instead of looking at yourself,” Weseman said.

He said schools have asked to be funded at the amount that independent cost studies have said they should be funded.

“What’s greedy about that?” he asked.

Revenues rolling high

Most of the school finance plans considered so far would produce a deficit in the third year, according to many legislators.

That is why the Legislature has been considering expansion of gambling to pay for the outlying years of the plans.

But the state revenue picture keeps getting brighter and brighter.

The state has collected $136 million more than was projected since November. And state revenues for the fiscal year since July 1 are running 11 percent higher than the same period during the previous year.

In fact, predicting dire consequences in the out years of any spending plan has become typical in the Legislature.

“I can’t remember a profile around here that didn’t show the third year looking pretty bad,” House Speaker Doug Mays, R-Topeka, said last week.

Things to watch

¢ House Appropriations Committee meets at 9 a.m. April 18.

¢ Senate Ways and Means Committee meets at 1 p.m. April 19.

¢ Senate Education Committee meets at 1 p.m. April 24.

¢ Legislature reconvenes April 26.