State parks a big hit

The 24 state parks in Kansas have seen an increase in visits over the past several years. There were 7,201,743 visitors in 2009, compared with 6,519,423 in 2008, according to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

KDWP Secretary Mike Hayden said one factor in the increase is that more events are being scheduled each year in state parks, such as Iron Man competitions. Also, the state is increasing the number of cabins that can be rented for overnight stays. There are 75 cabins in state parks and wildlife areas now, and 23 more are planned this year, including several at Clinton Lake.

For 2009, cabin reservations totaled 9,532 nights.

Maybe it’ll be a surprise party

The state of Kansas will turn 150 years old next year and some are concerned that no one will celebrate.

At a Senate Ways and Means Committee meeting, Sen. Ruth Teichman, R-Stafford, said, “The people in Kansas are not getting the information.”

Sen. Jean Schodorf, R-Wichita, said most of the preparations for the sesquicentennial celebration are being done with private dollars because of the state budget crisis.

Kansas became the 34th state in 1861.

Elephant in the room

State Sen. Dwayne Umbarger, R-Thayer, was complimenting the Kansas Arts Commission for taking on fundraising plans to renovate the dilapidated Dillon House, across the street from the Statehouse.

Umbarger called the Dillon House the “pink elephant that has been on our backs for a while.” His colleagues started laughing and then Umbarger quickly corrected himself, saying “white elephant.”

Quote of the week

It’s time for the vicious and unproductive personal attacks to stop.”

— House Speaker Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, in a statement criticizing Democrats who have called on him to step aside as lead attorney in a lawsuit of business groups against the state.

What’s next

SB 516, increasing tax on cigarettes and tobacco products, before Senate Assessment and Taxation, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Room 152-South, Capitol.

SR 1809, opposing federal greenhouse gas regulation by rulemaking, before Senate Natural Resources, 8 a.m. Thursday, Room 144-South, Capitol.