More oversight set for Capitol project

Pressed by some colleagues to provide more oversight for an ongoing Statehouse renovation, legislative budget negotiators decided to get more people involved and mandate more meetings.

The project, now in the seventh of 11 years, has drawn fire for its cost. When legislators approved it in 2000, one report suggested the state would spend up to $120 million, but it already has committed to spending $172 million – and that figure covers only three of four phases.

Before approving its version of the year’s last spending bill, the House added a provision requiring oversight of the renovation by the University Research Development and Enhancement Corp., set up in 2002 to supervise construction of three research centers.

Senators called for no changes, leaving in place supervision by a special commission appointed by legislative leaders and oversight by the leaders themselves.

The compromise was putting three new members on the renovation commission, at least one of whom must have expertise in construction. The budget negotiators also said the commission must meet at least once every three months.

The solution provides better oversight without adding a layer of bureaucracy, said Sen. Dwayne Umbarger, R-Thayer, his chamber’s lead negotiator.

Inmates may get more good behavior credit

Legislators sent Gov. Kathleen Sebelius a bill Tuesday granting some prison inmates more credit for good behavior.

The bill was a compromise reached after senators rejected a similar measure Friday because of concerns violent offenders would be turned out on the streets.

The new measure would grant some drug offenders and felons credit equal to 20 percent of their sentences for good behavior, starting Jan. 1, 2008. Currently, the credit is 15 percent, put in place to comply with requirements for receiving certain federal grants that have since ended.

Senators passed the new measure 30-6, and the House passed it 87-29.

Rep. Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, said the change should help the state keep its prison population from growing, reducing the need for more than 200 beds.

Employees added for gambling regulation

The state Racing and Gaming Commission soon will have permission to hire 35 new employees in response to legislators’ decision to authorize casinos and slot machines at dog and horse tracks.

Those new jobs will cost the state $4.4 million a year.

Legislative budget negotiators settled on the staffing increase while finishing work on the year’s last spending bill.

Ten of the new employees will permit the agency to deal with the reopening of Camptown Greyhound Park in Frontenac. The track has been idle because its dog races can’t make enough money and slots were seen as a way to make it viable.

The other 25 positions will help the commission set up a regulatory framework for the new casinos.