Senate Committee Halts Core Curriculum Standards
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas Senate committee has endorsed legislation that would pause the implementation of new standards for math and reading in public schools. The bill advanced yesterday afternoon would create an 11-member legislative panel to review decisions by the State Board of Education on adopting and implementing any uniform education standards. Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Ty Masterson said it was unclear Friday when the bill would be debated as legislators looked to end the 2013 session, which entered the 98th day.
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May Tax Collections Up
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas revenue collections exceeded estimates by $65.9 million in May, aided by one-time revenue paid by taxpayers who made payments ahead of federal tax increases. The Kansas Department of Revenue said yesterday that the state collected $583.2 million in May, an increase of 12.7 percent above the $517.4 million that was anticipated.
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Mother Enters Plea Bargain in Toddler Death
EL DORADO, Kan. (AP) — A southeast Kansas woman has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in what authorities called the abuse death of her 18-month-old daughter. Alyssa Haag of El Dorado was initially charged with first-degree murder in the March 2012 death of her daughter, Jayla Haag.
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Wichita Financial Planner Sentenced
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A former Wichita investment adviser who admitted stealing money from clients is going to prison. The U.S. Attorney's office says 44-year-old Eric Burns was sentenced yesterday to five years and three months in federal prison. He was also ordered on Friday to pay more than $2.2 million in restitution.