Senate Limits Use of State Funds for Gun Control Lobbying
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers are close to approving limits on the use of state tax dollars to lobby federal, state or local officials on gun control issues. The Senate approved the measure on a 31-6 vote yesterday. The House could consider the measure as early as Monday. House approval would send the bill to Governor Sam Brownback, who is a strong gun-rights supporter but hasn't said publicly whether he'd sign the measure.
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Sales Tax Issue Still Unresolved
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican leaders in the Kansas Senate aren't budging much on lowering the state's sales tax in July as part of a plan that also cuts income taxes. Senate President Susan Wagle of Wichita said yesterday she thinks Republican Governor Sam Brownback could veto tax legislation if it lets the sales tax fall below 6.2 percent.
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Fort Riley to Furlough Civilian Workers
FORT RILEY, Kan. (AP) — Officials at Fort Riley have announced plans to furlough about one-third of the civilian workforce at the northeast Kansas Army post to save money this year. The plan follows this week's decision by the Defense Department to proceed with federal furloughs amid budget shortfalls.
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OSHU Rules In Favor of Wolf Creek Engineer
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — An engineer fired for reporting unsafe conditions at a Kansas nuclear power plant says he was just being responsible. The man's attorneys released a letter yesterday from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that orders Georgia-based Enercon Services to reinstate the engineer at the Wolf Creek plant.