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The Kansas House today (THUR) rejected a bill that would have made permanent last year’s sales tax increase. Last session, the Legislature increased the state sales tax from 5.3 to 6.3 percent, for a period of three years. The bill in the House would have kept the higher sales tax rate and lowered personal and corporate income tax rates. Income taxes would have eventually been eliminated. Representative Richard Carlson, a St. Marys Republican, said lowering income tax rates would help spur economic growth in Kansas.00000184-7fa7-d6f8-a1cf-7fa792960000Opponents of the legislation said lawmakers would be going back on a promise to keep the sales tax increase temporary. The House also rejected a bill that would have repealed the 1-cent sales tax increase.

Q: The Kansas Audio-Reader Network is holding its big benefit sale – “For Your EARS Only” - at the Douglas County Fairgrounds at 6 o’clock tonight, where you c...

A yard sign at 6th and Michigan, encouraging a "yes" vote on the November 4 ballot issue that would increase the local sales tax to pay for a new Lawrence police center.Next week, voters in Lawrence will decide whether to approve an increase in the local sales tax to finance construction of a new police center. The price tag for the proposed facility is nearly $26 million. The Lawrence City Commission and the police department are hoping voters say yes at the polls. Others say they support the police... but not this plan. KPR's J. Schafer has more.Lawrence voters will decide on November 4th whether to approve a .20% increase in the city sales tax to pay for a $26 million police facility. The new law enforcement center would be located east of Hallmark Cards, south of the Kansas Turnpike and just north of the district offices for Lawrence public schools.

A loud and rowdy mix of Brownback and Davis supporters fill the arena during the Kansas State Fair gubernatorial debate. (Photo by Stephen Koranda)Governor Sam Brownback and Paul Davis participated in a debate at the Kansas State Fair on Saturday, Sept. 6. The moderator is Kelly Lenz, farm director for WIBW Radio and the Kansas Agriculture Network. This marks the first time Brownback and Davis have debated.Kansas Republican Senator Pat Roberts (L) spars with independent candidate Greg Orman (R) during a debate at the Kansas State Fair. (Photo by Stephen Koranda)The senatorial debate between incumbent Pat Roberts (R, Dodge City) and independent candidate Greg Orman of Overland Park took place immediately after the Kansas gubernatorial debate. Greg Akagi, assistant farm director for WIBW Radio and the Kansas Radio Networks, served as moderator for that contest. This audio begins following the introduction of the timekeeper and the panelists asking questions.

Here's the latest Kansas and regional news from the Associated Press, compiled by KPR staff.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas revenue officials say the state took in $3.3 million more in taxes than anticipated in December and collections met expectations for the past six months. The Department of Revenue reported Tuesday that the state collected $550 million in taxes in December, when the state's official financial forecast predicted less than $547 million. The surplus is 0.6 percent. From the start of the current fiscal year in July through December, the state collected $2.74 billion in taxes, or $4.3 million more than anticipated. The surplus is about 0.2 percent. However, tax collections this year are running about 9 percent behind collections last year because of income tax cuts enacted last year. Tax collections were $603 million in December 2012 and $3.02 billion from July through December 2012.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City citizens advisory group has recommended replacing the existing three terminals at Kansas City International Airport with a new single terminal. The Kansas City Star reports that 19 of the KCI Terminal Advisory Group's 24 members voted in favor of a single terminal, subject to more information on cost. That decision mirrors a plan the city's Aviation Department has recommended — but which many in the public have rejected because they prefer the current distances between parking and terminal gates. The advisory group's recommendation is intended to guide the city toward one of its most important civic building projects of the next decade. The group concluded the airport has too much crumbling infrastructure, aging operating systems and insufficient gate and security space to simply do nothing.

On a day highlighted by the revival of a Border War contest between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Missouri Tigers, the end result was a disappointment for the KU softball team. The Jayhawks lost a pair of games yesterday (SAT) to drop out of the NCAA tournament. Missouri sent the Jayhawks into the loser's bracket with a 6-3 victory yesterday (SAT) afternoon. Then after upsetting Nebraska the day before, KU couldn't do it again last (SAT) night. The Huskers got by KU, 2-1, to advance to today's (SUN) regional championship game. KU ended its season with a 34-23 record. In the NCAA Division II baseball tournament, Emporia State has reached the regional championship game in Russellville, Arkansas. But the Hornets face the tough task of needing two victories today (SUN) against Minnesota-Mankato to advance to the Elite Eight. The Hornets came up with two victories yesterday (SAT), one against Arkansas Tech and the other against Augustana, to avoid elimination.

Rescue efforts continue in the city of Tainan, where a magnitude 6.4 quake struck early Saturday. News services report two of the dead are a baby and an adult man. Some 120,000 are without power.

Some Kansas and Missouri counties are still under Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories, but those weather alerts have been allowed to expire for much of the KPR listening area. Travel is still very hazardous throughout the region.