Topeka ? Democratic Senate candidate Jim Slattery is calling on Congress to pass a new economic stimulus package that spends money on improving roads, bridges and other infrastructure to stimulate jobs.

A spokeswoman for Republican Sen. Pat Roberts said Thursday that when Congress reconvenes next month, Roberts will consider “every option” for improving the economy and will work on a bipartisan plan.

Roberts is seeking his third term in the Senate. Slattery is a former Washington lobbyist and House member from the 2nd Congressional District of eastern Kansas.

“As the economic crisis spreads from Wall Street to Main Street, Congress needs to pass an economic stimulus package to help struggling families and small businesses,” Slattery said in a statement.

He said investing in infrastructure – as well as wind farms and other forms of renewable energy – will create good-paying jobs.

Roberts spokeswoman Molly Haase said: “When Congress returns next month, Sen. Roberts will consider every option that helps grow the economy and creates jobs and he will work in a bipartisan manner to best help Kansas families and businesses.”

Drug settlement

Kansas expects to receive nearly $741,000 from a settlement with drug manufacturer Pfizer Inc. over how it promoted two painkillers.

Kansas had joined 32 other states in investigating Pfizer.

Pfizer faced allegations of promoting the now-discontinued painkiller Bextra for “off-label” uses, or uses it was not approved for. States also questioned whether Pfizer improperly promoted another drug, Celebrex, as safer than some over-the-counter medications.

In agreeing to a $60 million settlement with the states, Pfizer denied its promotional practices violated any laws.

Kansas Attorney General Steve Six said his office would use its part of the settlement to cover its legal expenses, expand consumer education and finance consumer protection efforts.

Disaster relief

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has written to President Bush seeking federal aid to help 10 counties repair infrastructure damaged by September floods.

The damage from the Sept. 11-17 flooding exceeded $3.7 million.

The request covers Anderson, Butler, Chase, Cowley, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Russell, Sedgwick and Sumner counties.

Sebelius is seeking relief under a program in which the federal government covers at least 75 percent of the cost of removing debris, repairing infrastructure and taking emergency measures to protect it.