There may have been only a handful of area residents who attended the legislative forum on Kansas University’s West Campus Thursday evening, but that didn’t change the nature of the discussion.

The event at the Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Dr., had state legislators address various issues for the new session including education funding, sales tax, abortion and renewable energy.

State leaders, including Sens. Marci Francisco and Tom Holland and Reps. Barbara Ballard, Paul Davis, TerriLois Gregory, Ann Mah and Tom Sloan, fielded questions from the audience and addressed announcements made earlier by Gov. Sam Brownback.

Lawrence resident Bruce Eggers was one of the few in attendance.

“I was just hoping to get a little insight,” Eggers said. “I don’t know what the new governor’s got in mind, so I wanted a little clarity on that.”

Toni Dudley, a member of the American Association of University Women, said the annual forum was a valuable source of information for the community.

“People just need to be aware,” she said.

Ballard said the number of people who attended wasn’t as important as the message.

“They need to know, as a legislator, we care enough to be here to try to answer their questions,” she said. “It’s a chance to educate them about some of the things they may not really know about. And it really is enjoyable.”