Topeka ? The Legislature ended its 2008 session quietly Thursday without discussing the year’s dominant issue, the proposed construction of two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas.

As expected, the House did not consider Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ veto of a third bill clearing the way for the plants.

Like the other two measures she rejected, the bill also restricted the power of the secretary of health and environment, who has blocked the plants since October over their potential carbon dioxide emissions.

House leaders said last week that they wouldn’t attempt to override her latest veto, even though the bill enjoyed bipartisan support.

Those leaders had set aside Thursday for a brief adjournment ceremony, and they noted that it’s often difficult to get a full contingent of lawmakers to attend. A two-thirds majority, or 84 of 125 votes, is needed to override a veto, and only 97 members were present.

The Senate overrode two previous vetoes on similar bills, but the House couldn’t muster enough votes.

Sunflower Electric Power Corp. wants to build the two plants outside Holcomb, in Finney County.

Powers remembered

House members took time to honor their colleague, Republican Ted Powers of Mulvane, who died May 13 after suffering a stroke.

His widow, Betty Mae, and son Teddy were presented with a certificate honoring him.

“Ted loved every one of you. This was his favorite place,” Betty Mae Powers told members. “I think he’s watching you right now.”

On his desk at the rear of the chamber was a vase filled with white Canterbury bell flowers. His name remained on the two voting boards at the front of the chamber.

Powers, 73, was a retired music teacher known for injecting levity into debates with humorous comments and snatches of song.

He already had filed for re-election to seek a ninth term, representing a district that covered part of southern Sedgwick County and the northeast corner of Sumner County.

“He passed away with his boots on. He was ready to come back,” said Rep. Dale Swenson, a Wichita Republican.

Tax incentive

Topeka-area legislators failed to get the House to have a last-minute debate on an economic development proposal they’ve been pushing.

The bill deals with how income taxes are calculated for companies investing $100 million or more in a new or expanded plant. Companies that commit to such an investment would have lower taxes.

The Senate passed the measure in March. Legislative leaders then included identical language in a bill allowing two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas.

They hoped linking the two issues would persuade Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who opposed the two plants, to let the package become law without her signature. But Sebelius vetoed that measure.

On Thursday, Rep. Annie Kuether asked for a vote on the bill approved by the Senate two months ago. Passage in the House would have sent it to Sebelius, but the House voted 49-47 against allowing a vote.

Kuether said that if House leaders thought the bill was good policy, “Then they should have put their votes where there mouths were, and they didn’t.”

But House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, an Ingalls Republican, said House members simply didn’t want to do business on a day set aside for a brief adjournment ceremony.

New House member

The newest House member, Republican Peter DeGraaf of Mulvane, made his first appearance in the chamber on the Legislature’s final day.

He was selected by GOP committee members in the 81st District to replace Rep. Ted Powers, who died May 13.

DeGraaf, 51, heads a financial counseling ministry.