No Mortal Kombat zone

One item that didn’t get much attention in the rehash of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ State of the State last week was this statement: “We can help parents by giving them access to tools to block inappropriate Web sites, guides showing which TV shows and movies are family-friendly, and limits on access to violent video games.”

The initiative will probably be rolled out in the next week or so, officials said.

Sloan energized

Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, a national figure on the alternative energy scene, wants to refuel a House-Senate energy committee.

The committee was put together before the session to provide a report to lawmakers on energy polices by Feb. 1.

But Sloan, who was made chairman of the committee, said the committee should remain in business during the next after-session period.

“I’m pleased with where this committee has been going,” he said.

He said the committee could provide short- and long-term energy policies.

United churches

Leaders of several Kansas churches say they hope to have a larger presence during the 2006 legislative session.

The bishops of the United Methodist Church of Kansas, the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas wrote lawmakers.

“As you work on the many issues that face our state in the coming year – education, finance, roads and highways – we hope that you always keep in mind the impact these decisions will have on Kansas families, especially as you determine how to allocate financial resources among the many needs our citizens have,” the letter stated.

More than 200,000 Kansans are members of the churches.

Robert Harder, a former state welfare agency secretary and an advocate for social services, will serve as a liaison for the group. He said the bishops wanted lawmakers to know “there are other voices out there” besides those from conservative churches.

Huelskamp honored

Sen. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, received a Friend of Open Government award from the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for his work shepherding through the Legislature last year major changes to the Kansas Open Records Act.

Huelskamp is known as one of the most conservative members of the Senate. John Lewis, a board member of the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government, said transparency in government cuts across party and ideological lines.

“He (Huelskamp) is a friend of open government, and that means he is a friend of the taxpayer and every citizen who values his individual rights,” Lewis said.

Sens. Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, and Kay O’Connor, R-Olathe, were given awards earlier for open government efforts last session.

Quote of the week

It was a whole lot of bragging going on tonight. I thought for a while that the governor was going to say her administration helped Al Gore invent the Internet.”

– Senate Republican Leader Derek Schmidt of Independence in response to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ State of the State address.

Things to watch

9:30 a.m. Tuesday in Room 123-South – Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on SB 334, which would toughen prison sentences.