Highlights of Tuesday’s activities at the Kansas Legislature:

¢ Legislative negotiators’ proposed budget largely reflected spending recommendations from Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, though their agreement did omit money for a new mentoring program and to expand health care coverage for children age 5 and under.

¢ House and Senate negotiators hit an impasse over a bill mandating tougher penalties for sex offenders, especially those victimizing children. But one of the chief negotiators said an agreement will be reached soon.

Also:

¢ Neither the House nor the Senate was in session because legislative leaders set aside the day for negotiations between their chambers on numerous issues.

¢ The deliberate killing, maiming or torturing of animals would be a felony under compromise legislation worked out by House and Senate negotiators.

Clock is stopped:

The clock on the session stopped Friday, after the 75th day, out of 90 scheduled. Monday and Tuesday didn’t count because legislators didn’t get paid. The count resumes Wednesday with the 76th day.