Drivers, Washburn, community colleges miffed by university maintenance proposal
Here are today’s headlines from Kansas government:Deferred maintenance(KTKA) Crumbling classroom crisis:From busted pipes to outdated electrical systems, across the state, it’s a challenge for universities to keep up with the demand for quick fixes, and temporary solutions.(LJW) Sebelius proposes Turnpike increase for building repairs: Motorists would pay higher tolls on the Kansas Turnpike to fund repairs at state universities under a $575 million plan released Wednesday by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.(LJW) Drivers unhappy with toll plan: Gov. Kathleen Sebelius shouldn’t be expecting a thank you card from Sean Wilson. The longtime employee of Hallmark Cards Inc. in Lawrence faces the prospect of seeing his commuting costs rise even more, now that the governor is proposing a plan to boost Kansas Turnpike fees to help pay for repairs and maintenance needs on college campuses.(Topeka Capital-Journal) Repair proposal omits Washburn: A plan Gov. Kathleen Sebelius unveiled Wednesday to help Kansas Board of Regents universities piece together decrepit buildings and maintain campuses didn’t include funding for Washburn University.(Harris News Service) Community colleges not in funding plan: A proposal unveiled by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius Wednesday to address a backlog of maintenance issues at state universities didn’t include funding for the state’s community colleges. Although a recent report showed a nearly $150 million list of repairs at 18 of the state’s community colleges and one technical school, Sebelius said her $575 million plan would focus on improving conditions on university campuses.Other stories(KTKA) Does Kansas owe you money?: No, it’s not the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. It’s state representative Anne Mah, on her own time, making call after all, telling people they’ve got a little cash they didn’t even know about.(LJW) Official English up for debate: Supporters of making English the official language of Kansas said Wednesday the change will encourage immigrants to assimilate. But opponents of House Bill 2140 said the measure was discriminatory, divisive and could hinder efforts by local governments to provide necessary information.(Kansas Health Institute News Service) Bill introduced to keep guns out of hospitals: The Senate Judiciary Committee introduced a bill on Wednesday that would amend the state’s concealed carry law to include hospitals and other health care facilities on the list of places where concealed weapons are not allowed.(LJW) Partial smoking ban advances: A watered-down ban on smoking in indoor public places hobbled out of a state Senate committee Wednesday.(Wichita Eagle) AG supports ban on drug paraphernalia: Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison is supporting a legislative push by the Wichita Branch NAACP and a statewide task force to ban the sale of drug paraphernalia in Kansas.(Topeka Capital-Journal) Measure creates energy panel: A bill that would create an energy education and advisory committee drew more support than opposition Wednesday during a committee hearing. The bill allows for the creation of energy efficiency education standards and curriculum for students, homeowners, cities and others.(Harris News Service) Conservation bill draws conditional support: A bill to encourage Kansans to conserve energy through a state-run efficiency program drew conditional support from a variety of utilities Wednesday.

