From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for June 28, 1974:

The Lawrence-Douglas County Bicentennial Commission received some bad news this week about its request for $7,500 from the county commission. In a letter from Dan Young, county counselor, the group had been advised that the county commission had no statutory authorization “to levy taxes or expend funds for a bicentennial celebration.” Although the commission had no authority to grant such funds, Young’s letter stated, a proposal that the county dedicate its fair to the bicentennial in 1976 bore “great merit” and would involve expenditures “for purposes already authorized.” Bicentennial committee chair Ted Kennedy said he was perturbed by the county’s decision, saying that it had been a county and city idea to create the committee in the first place and that they should be responsible for providing funds. “This is not our (the committee’s) celebration,” Kennedy said. “This is a community celebration which is a very justifiable thing for funding by the city and county.”