Here are today’s headlines from Kansas government:The budget(KTKA) Universal health care in governor’s sights: One of the suggestions Governor Kathleen Sebelius made in her State of the State address was universal health insurance for all Kansans. But she did not offer that as a proposal in the budget she released Thursday. And she says, that’s all part of the plan.(KC Star) ‘Universal’ is the key word in governor’s goal for health care: Massachusetts has it. California might get it. But universal health care in Kansas? That’s what Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said she wants during her State of the State address Wednesday night. But figuring out exactly what “universal health care” is could be as difficult as figuring out how to get it. To Sebelius, the term means access to affordable, high-quality health care for every Kansan, according to a statement from her office Thursday. Republicans, who have their own health care proposals, think they know what she means. Many don’t like it.(LJW) Sebelius proposes all-day kindergarten, increased university funding: Increased funds for all-day kindergarten, health care and higher education were among some of the spending proposals made Thursday by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. Sebelius also called for a 4 percent pay increase for state employees as part of her $12.4 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. But the 839-page budget was silent on plans for universal health care coverage – a goal Sebelius set in her State of the State address Wednesday.(Topeka Capital-Journal) State workers would get raise, bigger bonus: Gov. Kathleen Sebelius proposed a 4 percent salary increase for state employees in addition to the first expansion of “longevity bonuses” in nearly 20 years. However, the governor didn’t recommend to the 2007 Legislature a cost-of-living increase for thousands of people receiving benefits from the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.Other issues(LJW) Senator: Expect tax relief plan for seniors: Expect a legislator to introduce a state constitutional amendment that could freeze property tax levels for state residents when they become 65. Sen. Roger Pine, R-Lawrence, told about 50 people Thursday night at the Dole Institute of Politics that he was unsure how far the proposal would get in the Statehouse but that a colleague was planning it as a way to address property tax relief for seniors.(Wichita Eagle) Racing industry in a ‘grim’ state: Dog and horse racing could be on their last legs in Kansas, according to a report to a Senate committee. “The best word to describe the state of that industry is ‘grim,’ ” Stephen Martino, executive director of the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, told the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee. The total betting on racing, known in industry jargon as the “handle,” has fallen from a peak of $273 million in 1990, the state’s first year of pari-mutuel betting, to $85 million in 2005, the last full year for which statistics are available. The decline continued in the first 11 months of 2006, according to Martino’s report delivered Wednesday.(Harris News Service) Water planners seek public feedback on future of supply: Silt turning state reservoirs into mud flats, a steadily declining Ogallala Aquifer and a changing climate are pressuring planners eyeing the future of Kansas groundwater, lakes, rivers and streams. These and other issues came up Thursday as the Kansas Water Authority – which advises the governor on water policy – met at a Topeka hotel conference center to outline new strategy for managing supplies into the next several years.(KTKA) Sebelius reacts to president’s Iraq plan: Governor Kathleen Sebelius released the following statement only to 49 News regarding the president’s plan to send more than 20,000 additional troops to Iraq: “I certainly support the men and women who are currently engaged in this war. I have a briefing scheduled about the impact of this surge on Kansas National Guard, and I am in the process of gathering information on others in our military family – Ft Riley in particular. This seems to be counter to the advice of the Commission that the President asked for, as well as many of the military advisors. So I’m still looking for a full briefing on what exactly the plan is, how long additional soldiers would be needed, and what the definition of success is at this point.”