Highlights of Wednesday’s activities at the Kansas Legislature:

– Senators gave tentative approval to three bills designed to curb fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program. The bills create a new inspector general, create a civil procedure for prosecuting abuse cases and allow the state to recover damages. Approval Thursday would send the bills to the House.

– Kansas winemakers, currently allowed to sell directly to liquor stores, bars and restaurants, told the Kansas Grape and Wine Industry Advisory Council Wednesday that a legislative proposal to make them go through wholesalers could put some – if not all – of them out of business.

Also:

– Attorney General Phill Kline said he won’t appeal a Shawnee County District court ruling dismissing a lawsuit, filed at the direction of the House, over use of Medicaid funds to pay for some abortions.

Clock is ticking:

Wednesday was the 17th day of the session, out of 90 scheduled.