Will members of the U-S Congress be able to resolve their budget differences in time to prevent a shutdown of the government by the March 4 deadline? Opinions vary, but Kansas Senator Pat Roberts doesn't think a shutdown will happen.

There's been talk of a continuing resolution to fund the government at current levels, if the House and Senate cannot come to an agreement on funding for the rest of the year. But tough talk is coming from both sides of the aisle. House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio said last week that he would not consider a short-term continuing resolution if the two bodies can't come to an agreement. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says a government shutdown would be the fault of House Republicans.

The Supreme Court Nominating Commission, which interviews prospective nominees for vacancies on the state Court of Appeals and the Kansas Supreme Court, began its interviews of candidates yesterday (THUR) for a vacancy on the Appeals Court. The interviews will continue today (FRI).

Judicial Administration Spokesperson Ron Keefover says that for the first time in Kansas history, the interviews are open to the public. The Nominating Commission will select three candidates from the nineteen-candidate pool, and forward those selections to Governor Sam Brownback, who will make the final choice. The Commission says the move to open interviews is designed to instill further confidence in how judges are chosen.

Kansas has been awarded a $31 million grant to develop the information systems it will need to operate a health insurance purchasing exchange. Establishment of the exchange is a requirement for compliance with the federal health reform law. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius made the announcement today (WED). Linda Sheppard of the Kansas Insurance Department says the state got the so-called “early innovator” grant because of work already being done to modernize the Medicaid eligibility system. That system will be adapted to also operate the Web-based purchasing exchange.

Beginning in 2014, millions of Americans will be able to purchase health insurance through state-based exchanges. Many will be eligible for federal subsidies.

President Obama has included 150-million dollars in his budget for the next fiscal year to proceed with construction of the nation’s premier bio-defense lab. As Kansas Public Radio’s Bryan Thompson reports, the question is whether Congress will follow through on that commitment.

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