SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas woman contends in a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas that a false child abuse complaint was filed against her after she complained that her daughter was being bullied at school.
Melissa Schroeder of Shawnee also named Sacred Heart Catholic Church and its school principal, Maureen Engen. She says her 10-year-old daughter’s health began declining in April 2014 because of bullying at the diocese school and school officials ignored her requests to protect her daughter.
The lawsuit alleges Engen reported to the Kansas Department of Children and Families that Schroeder was abusing and neglecting her daughter. The Kansas City Star reports the agency’s investigation found no substantiation to the allegations.
A spokeswoman for the defendants said the archdiocese had not yet seen the lawsuit.
NEW YORK (AP) — Tracy Morgan says he remembers nothing about the limo crash that left him in a coma, and that, a year later, he still has bad days as well as good days.
Appearing live on Monday’s “Today” show, he sat clutching a cane and became emotional as he recalled learning two weeks after the June 7, 2014, crash that fellow comedian, James “Jimmy Mack” McNair, had died.
Morgan said he came across a video of McNair’s funeral on YouTube and said “I lost it for about a week.”
The interview was Morgan’s first public appearance since the accident on the New Jersey Turnpike.
Last week he settled a lawsuit with Wal-Mart, owner of the truck that slammed into the back of the limo van carrying Morgan and others. Morgan suffered head trauma, a broken leg and broken ribs and is still recovering.
Lucia Bain is Kansas Room librarian at Hays Public Library.
Summer means different things to different people. I tend to idealize summer like a Country Time lemonade commercial.
You know what I mean: bike rides down dirt roads, rocking in chairs on the front porch, and swinging out over a body of water on an old rope. Other people think about going on vacation or sleeping late or eating outdoors. I’m not sure when or why these associations and fantasies begin, but they do and they stick with us for a lifetime.
Movies are released the whole year round, but the industry saves the biggest, splashiest movies for the summer.
Without fail, there’s always a super-hero film released. This year we’ve already seen the release of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and, later this summer, “Ant Man” and “Fantastic Four” will premiere. People can’t get enough of super-hero stories and usually when we can’t get enough of a certain type of character or protagonist it means that we want to play that protagonist in our own lives.
In short, we all want to be super-heroes. This year, the Hays Public Library gives you that opportunity.
The summer reading theme for 2015 is “Every Hero has a Story.” Movies are great fun, but reading can open up whole new worlds beyond the silver screen. You’ll discover heroes you never knew existed. Children from birth to fifth grade can participate in this summer reading program that has lots of incentives and prizes including a pool party at the Hays Aquatic Center! Children can register any time until July 31st by visiting hayspublib.org or by visiting the library.
The super-hero theme is not restricted to kids, however, the whole library has adopted the theme for the summer. In each department you’ll find events to go along with the theme. In the adult department, for instance, you can attend a workshop on June 6th at 11 AM about “Super Hero Foods.” This workshop, hosted by Marleah Augustine will go over some facts and myths of popular super foods and participants will also learn to make some tasty recipes from nutrient-dense ingredients.
This part of Kansas was pioneered by some pretty heroic people. Who but a bunch of heroes could figure out how to use and mine post-rock limestone to construct fences, churches, homes and bridges? If you’re interested in the heroic history of limestone, you might want to consider signing up for a staycation to LaCrosse on June 6th. We’ll visit historical museums in LaCrosse including the Post Rock Museum and the Barbed Wire museum. We’ll head further south to Rush Center for lunch then pass through Liebenthal on our way back to Hays. Transportation and admission are included, but lunch is your own responsibility. Space is limited so call or email today: 625-9014 or [email protected]!
The Kansas Room’s summer movie nights will focus on heroes of Kansas and the old west. On June 23rd at 6 PM I’ll be screening Red River, a movie starring John Wayne and Montgomery Clift in roles that helped make them famous. If you like John Wayne or classic westerns, you won’t want to miss this one which features a cattle-drive to Kansas. Movies are free and open to all ages. Free refreshments are provided.
Finally, a great way to be a super-hero in real life is to donate blood. The library will be hosting a blood drive on June 29th from 1 PM to 4:30 PM. If you really want to help save someone’s life, consider donating blood! To make an appointment call 625-9014, stop by the library, or email [email protected].
The Kansas Room is located in the basement of the Hays Public Library and is open from 9 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and by request.
Lucia Bain is Kansas Room Librarian at the Hays Public Library.
The Hays Police Department responded to 10 animal calls and 27 traffic stops Friday, May 29, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.
MV Accident /DUI–100 block W 7th St, Hays; 12 AM
Drug Offenses–2900 block Ash St, Hays; 1:09 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–400 block E 7th St, Hays; 2/17 2 PM
Animal At Large–Enersys Rd, Hays; 7:47 AM
Suspicious Vehicle–3000 block Tam O’ Shanter Dr, Hays; 11:11 AM
Found/Lost Property–800 block Ash St, Hays; 11:41 AM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 5/28 9 AM; 8 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–100 block E 8th St, Hays; 1:28 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–1000 block Main St, Hays; 5/28 12 PM; 5/29 1:50 PM
Disturbance – Noise–100 block E 7th St, Hays; 5:01 PM
Animal Injured–400 block Walnut St, Hays; 5:07 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–400 block W 4th St, Hays; 12 AM; 6:40 PM
Animal Call–200 block W 23rd St, Hays; 7:34 PM;
Animal Call–500 block W 19th St, Hays; 7:45 PM
Identity Theft–Hays; 8:58 PM
Obstruction of Legal Process–300 block W 9th St, Hays; 9:15 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 12 animal calls and 12 traffic stops Saturday, May 30, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Minor in Possession of CMB/LIQ–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:37 AM; 12:38 AM
Suspicious Person–200 block E 18th St, Hays; 2:11 AM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–3000 block New Way, Hays; 2:27 AM
Battery – Domestic–1000 block Country Club Dr, Hays; 2:53 AM
Parking Complaint–1900 block Marshall Rd, Hays; 7:15 AM
Animal At Large–Hays; 8:51 AM
Drug Offenses–1600 block E 41st St, Hays; 9:07 AM
Animal At Large–Downing and General Custer, Hays; 10:18 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block W 23rd St, Hays; 10:47 AM
Found/Lost Property–3500 block Vine St, Hays; 12:26 PM
Suspicious Activity–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 1:11 PM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen; 400 block E 7th St, Hays; 5/25 10 AM; 5/26 10 AM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–1300 block Steven Dr, Hays; 2:49 PM
Mental Health Call–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 3:49 PM
Unwanted Person–1500 block 40 Bypass Hwy, Hays; 3:55 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–100 block W 15th St, Hays; 5/18 2 PM; 5/30 5 PM
Mental Health Call–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 7:14 PM
Burglary/vehicle–500 block E 6th St, Hays; 7 PM; 7:36 PM
Battery on LEO–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 8:21 PM
Mental Health Call–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 10:28 PM
Theft (general)–1100 block Vine St, Hays; 10:45 PM
Driving Under the Influence–100 block W 37th St, Hays; 11:06 PM
The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and 8 traffic stops Sunday, May 31, 2015, according to the HPD Activity Log.
Disturbance – General–200 block W 7th St, Hays; 2:10 AM ; 2:12 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1000 block E 43rd St, Hays; 9 AM; 9:02 AM
Theft (general)–500 block W 27th St, Hays; 10:15 AM
Suspicious Activity–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 12:20 PM
Burglary/vehicle–600 block E 16th St, Hays; 3 AM; 12:30 PM
Disorderly Conduct–500 block W 16th St, Hays; 1:35 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–22nd and Henry, Hays; 2:04 PM
Suspicious Activity–300 block W 9th St, Hays; 3:06 PM
Burglary/vehicle–500 block E 16th St, Hays; 5/30 9:30 PM; 5/31 2:40 PM
Animal Injured–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 3:44 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–1600 block Main St, Hays; 4:57 PM
Mental Health Call–1100 block Country Club Dr, Hays; 5:09 PM
Disturbance – General–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 5:24 PM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 8:33 PM
Domestic Disturbance–100 block E 15th St, Hays; 8:45 PM; 8:50 PM
Criminal Trespass–2500 block E 17th St, Hays; 12 PM; 4 PM
Picture courtesy of Junction City Fire Department.
JC Post
JUNCTION CITY -Fire caused extensive damage to a residence in the 1500 Block of South Spring Valley Road in Junction City on Sunday Night.
There were no injuries.
Junction City Fire Department officials believe the cause of the fire may have been a possible gas grill explosion.
Dennis Wetklow, Fire Department Battalion Chief, explained there was an explosion and the back of the house caught on fire.
“The residents had been grilling hamburgers. At the time of the explosion authorities learned the residents were in their house, and had finished eating dinner when there was a big boom. Everything came through the windows, obviously the fire was there, and they got out of the house,” said Wetklow.
Junction City Mayor Mick McCallister, who lives nearby, heard the explosion and alerted authorities about the fire.
“He heard the boom from his house and called it in,” said Wetklow.
There was major damage to the back of the house, kitchen, and attic area of the residence.
Wetklow estimated damage at $80,000 to $90,000 to the structure, and another $40,000 to $60,000 to the contents.
The digital media team at Fort Hays State University recently won six first-place broadcast awards and two second-place awards at the Kansas Association of Broadcasters competition.
“The team has won more first-place awards this year than the last 15 years FHSU has participated in the KAB awards,” said Toby Yoshimura, associate professor of informatics.
FHSU teams won first-place awards in TV Play-by-Play Sports; Complete Sports Feature; Entertainment Production-Graduate TV; Sports Cast-Graduate TV; Complete Sports Feature-Graduate TV; and Station Promotion-Graduate TV.
The Play-by-Play team was C.D. DeSalvo, Garden City junior majoring in information networking and telecommunications, and Garret Sager, Salina senior majoring in information networking and telecommunications.
The Complete Sports Feature team was:
Nicole Elwood, Topeka junior majoring in information networking and telecommunications.
Andy Feng, Xinzheng, China, graduate student majoring in liberal studies (digital cinema production).
Jason Gao, Xinyang, China, graduate student majoring in liberal studies (digital cinema production).
Adam Kee, Natoma senior majoring in information networking and telecommunications.
Douglas Liu, Xinzheng, China, graduate student majoring in liberal studies (digital cinema production).
The Entertainment Production-Graduate TV and Sports Cast-Graduate TV team was Tyler Parks, Elkhart graduate student majoring in liberal studies (digital cinema production); Cooper Slough, Goodland sophomore majoring in information networking and telecommunications; and Feng, Gao, Kee and Liu.
The Complete Sports Feature-Graduate TV and Stage Promotion-Graduate TV team was Feng, Gao, Liu, Parks and Slough.
FHSU received second place in the Complete Sports Feature and the 30-Second Commercial Spot categories.
Ken Moreno, Charlotte, N.C., senior majoring in information networking and telecommunications, Parks and Slough were the sports feature team.
Trevor Rohn, Hays senior majoring in information technology and telecommunications, and Feng, Gao, Kee, Liu, Moreno, Parks and Slough and were the 30-second commercial team.
Entries were judged on excellence, believability, creativity and effectiveness.
“These students are competing on a professional-grade level,” said Yoshimura. “They get access to my stable of Hollywood producers, directors, writers and major scripted series companies in New York and Los Angeles because they plan to work in major films and television.”
The unit is student run and feeds its award-winning programming to Tiger Media Network, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association and National Collegiate Athletic Association, as well as Eagle Communications, the FHSU TV Channel and Smoky Hills Television Public Broadcast Station.
“These are very special students,” said Yoshimura. “They compete at an elevated tempo that mirrors the real world of entertainment. They rose to the occasion. They deserve applause for the great work they have done.”
John Richard Schrock is a professor at Emporia State University.
In a statue three-stories tall, a mother in rags silently cries out to the heavens while holding her lifeless child in her arms.
I am writing from Nanjing, China. And this is the entrance to the Nanjing War Memorial Museum.
Before Pearl Harbor and America’s entry into the war, the Japanese had long been expanding their conquest of China. At the end of 1937, Japan had taken Shanghai and moved inland to take China’s capitol, Nanjing. Chiang Kai-shek evacuated his officers and abandoned the population to a three-pronged Japanese attack that left no escape.
This slaughter of men, women and children is known as the “Rape of Nanjing” and stands in comparison with the Holocaust in Europe. While the war against China cost over 17 million Chinese lives, it was this six weeks of horror in Nanjing that defined atrocity. Over 300,000 civilians were killed. Babies speared on bayonets. Elderly shot in the back as they fled. Over 20,000 women raped and killed.
Whether it was to harden the Japanese troops, or the fury of war without constraints, the result was a month-and-a-half of terror when the rivers ran red. The poet W.H. Auden, who visited wartime China, wrote: “And maps can really point to places where life is evil now: Nanking and Dachau.”
I manage to keep the tears behind my eyes. The displays are historical photos and artifacts from real events. Signs in Chinese, English and Japanese indicate where silence is required. The museum is built on one of the many execution grounds—this is the burial ground of thousands.
But there is a major tribute to the heroic Westerners in Nanjing who organized an International Safety Zone that protected tens of thousands. Since Japan was not yet at war with the West, Western diplomats and missionaries and medical workers joined in sheltering refugees, especially Chinese women, at great personal risk. Few Westerners know that one of the greatest heroes of Nanjing was a German Nazi named John Rabe who headed the Safety Zone Committee, used his Swastika flags to ward off Japanese bombers and troops, and put his life on the line uncountable times to save civilians.
While my job in China is mainly to lecture at universities and edit, today is different. I have known for some time that I must come here. Near the end of this long museum, on an outdoor path, is a life-size statue of Iris Chang.
I knew Iris Chang only briefly. In 2003, when China sent up its first astronaut, I hoped National Public Radio would interview her. She had written the autobiography of Qian Xuesen, China’s “Werner Von Braun” who designed their space craft and was still alive to see the first astronaut lift off. NPR ignored the story. But this began my few short communications with her.
Iris Chang was an America-born Chinese, a journalism student at the University of Illinois at Urbana, with an intense drive to understand her heritage as well as achieve. And succeed she did: from a MacArthur Foundation Peace and International Cooperation Award, to Woman of the Year by the Organization of Chinese Americans, to two honorary doctorates. She was young, beautiful, and featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, and the LA Times. She also lectured on human rights, World War II history, Asian-American experiences, and appeared on the Jim Lehrer News Hour, Charlie Rose, and Good Morning America. She even made the front cover of Readers Digest.
These accolades however did not come from her biography of China’s rocket expert, nor from her second book “The Chinese in America.” It was her third book that brought on the ire of the Japanese government. She used the Freedom of Information Act to secure U.S. documents from 1937. She traveled to Nanjing to interview elderly survivors. And she discovered the diary of Nazi John Rabe, whom she called the “Schindler of China.” Her riveting book, The Rape of Nanjing, re-awoke international attention on an episode many preferred forgotten.
Iris had started a fourth book—on the Bataan Death March. She interviewed elderly soldiers who, in many cases for the first time, spoke of being ordered to bury their army buddies alive, or be buried alive themselves. According to her friend, the typist hired to transcribe those interviews “cried all the way through the work.” But Iris Chang—similar to many artists—was subject to emotional highs and lows.
On November 9, 2004, alongside a road in California, Iris Chang…used a handgun…to kill herself.
She is truly a hero in this museum today. But the casualties of the Nanjing Massacre are now 300 thousand…and one.
Carol Virginia Houston, age 76, passed away on Friday, May 29, 2015 at her home in Tribune, Kansas. Carol was born February 22, 1939 in Syracuse, Kansas, the daughter of Oren Johnston & Vivian Marcella (Ford) Gentry. A lifetime resident of Greeley County, Kansas, she was a homemaker.
Carol was a Follower of The Way International, a former South Colony EHU and Eastern Star member, both of Tribune, Kansas.
On November 25, 1954 she married Lawrence D. Houston in Tribune, Kansas
Carol’s surviving family includes-
Her Husband-
Lawrence Houston- Tribune, Kansas
Five Children
JoNell Edmonds- Franklin, North Carolina
Janet Murdock- Guthrie, Oklahoma
Jeffery Houston- Tribune, Kansas
Lance D. Houston- Haviland, Kansas
Shelli Dee & Don Root- Beulah, Colorado
Two siblings-
William Gentry- Tribune, Kansas
Ruth & Roy Sawyer- Willows, California
Thirteen grandchildren, Five great grandchildren
Her parents, a brother, Robert Gentry, and a sister, Helen Mallory, precede her in death.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 am ( MDT ) Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at the Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, Kansas with the Reverend Scott Clark officiating.
The family will receive condolences at the gravesite before services.
Memorials may be given to The Way International in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at priceandsons.com.
The Hays Larks outhit the Colorado Sox 13-4, erasing an early 2-0 deficit for a 4-3 win Sunday night at Larks Park. The Larks take the season opening series 2-1 after a split in Saturday’s doubleheader. Colorado won the opener 5-4 and the Larks took the second game 6-0.
Colorado scored two in the first inning to take the early lead in Sunday’s game but Michael Burns (Wichita State) solo homer tied the game in the third. Hays took the lead in the fourth on Brett Anderson’s (Arkansas State) single, scoring Jordan Peterson (Easter Michigan). After the Sox tie it in the seventh, Michael Burns drove in the go-ahead run on a single.
Derek Birginske (Arkansas State) struck out five and walked only one over seven innings and picked up the win, giving up all three runs on four hits. Nebraska’s Nate Fisher pitched two perfect innings of relief for the save.
The 2-1 Larks are back at home Monday night for the first of a two-game series with the Denver Cougars. Free admission for the 7 pm game courtesy of Crawford Supply and Horizon Appliance and Electronics.
Online rating groups recognize Fort Hays State University on a regular basis for the university’s outstanding programs and affordability. This time, online rating groups have placed FHSU’s online master’s programs in criminal justice, public health administration, special education and business high on the list.
Nonprofit Colleges Online ranked FHSU’s Online Master of Professional Studies in criminal justice No. 1 for the 2015 “Students Before Profits Award Rankings.” Award winners are selected for their accreditation, nonprofit and affordability. Find the complete list by selecting “Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice” in the right-hand column at www.nonprofitcollegesonline.com.
A list of the “Top 25 Online Master’s in Public Health,” compiled by Riddle Tree LLC, has ranked FHSU’s Master of Professional Studies in public health administration third nationwide.
“In order to determine this ranking, multiple factors were weighed and considered. A few of those were the cost of the school, the reputation and the graduation rate,” said Sara Moore, marketing director for Riddle Tree.
Master of Education Degree Guide takes into consideration tuition rates, U.S. News opinions, retention rates, program members and course selection when ranking schools. FHSU’s Online Master of Science in Special Education ranked No. 5 in the “Top 10 Online Masters in Special Education Degree Programs 2015.” According to its weighted scoring system, FHSU scored 199 out of 266. Find the list at www.master-of-education.org.
SuperScholar.org released a list of the 50 best online master’s and bachelor’s in Computer Science and Information Technology. FHSU’s bachelor programs in the College of Education and Technology ranked No. 11, and FHSU’s online master’s programs in the College of Business and Entrepreneurship ranked No. 34. While ranking the schools, SuperScholar.org took into consideration market reputation, awards and recognition, flexibility, accessibility, and affordability. Find both lists at https://superscholar.org under “Rankings” and “2015 Smart Choice Awards.”
TheBestSchools.org ranked FHSU’s Virtual College No. 29 in its 2015 to 2016 article “50 Best Online Colleges.”
“We selected the best online colleges based on academic excellence, faculty credentials, student support, awards, rankings and reputation, including the school’s reputation for effectively providing online degree programs,” said Brian Jenkins, senior editor for TheBestSchools.org.
Temperatures this week will be near normal for the first week of June. Thunderstorms chances will be on the increase late week, especially across north central Kansas.
Today Partly sunny, with a high near 77. South southeast wind 10 to 17 mph.
Tonight A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 60. South southeast wind 10 to 16 mph.
Tuesday Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 11 to 21 mph.
Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 13 to 21 mph.
Wednesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind 9 to 14 mph.
Wednesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Thursday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Friday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
Pictured from left to right, back row: Anna Maria Chávez, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA; Kathy Rome, Hays; Teresa Lemon, Hays; Tammy Mitchell, Russell; Latisha Haag, Ellis; Laurie McQuade, Hays; Liz Workman, CEO of Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland. Front row: Primrose Hockersmith, Victoria; and Edie McQuade, Russell. Not pictured but present was Shanda Preston, Russell.
Five area residents have been recognized with special awards from Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland for their extraordinary service as volunteers.
Kathy Rome of Hays, Tammy Mitchell of Russell, and Primrose Hockersmith of Victoria are among 20 volunteers to receive the Appreciation Pin this year from Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, which serves 80 counties in Kansas. The Appreciation Pin recognizes a volunteer who displays excellent service in delivering the Girl Scout mission to one or more geographic areas or communities.
Rome, a longtime Girl Scout volunteer, is a Service Unit Product Sales organizer who supports numerous Girl Scout troops in the region and works to “connect, mentor and guide the leaders of Ellis and Russell counties,” her nominator said.
Mitchell, leader of Girl Scout Troop 20702, also serves as her Service Unit’s event coordinator and has been instrumental in planning the Girl’s Night Out at The Mall in Hays.
Hockersmith, leader of Girl Scout Troop 10240, has also served in many roles for her Service Unit and has kept Girl Scouting alive in the town of Victoria. She led girls to reach their financial goals so they could travel to Costa Rica.
Laurie McQuade, leader of Girl Scout Troop 10070 in Hays, and Latisha Haag, leader of Girl Scout Troop 10020 in Ellis, both received the Volunteer of Excellence Award for displaying excellent service in delivering the Girl Scout mission as they work directly with girls in a troop.
Additionally, Victory Rock Service Unit 112, which serves Ellis and Russell counties, received the President’s Award for demonstrating a significant impact in reaching council goals by supporting Girl Scouts.
“Our dedicated volunteers encourage girls to raise their hands, to take action and make a difference in their community, and to set their sights on the stars,” said Liz Workman, CEO of Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland. “They prepare girls to lead successful lives and are key to our mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.”
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Top Republicans in the Kansas Senate have called off a debate on proposals to raise taxes after GOP senators criticized a new plan for closing a projected budget shortfall.
Republican senators ended a marathon debate early Monday morning shortly after GOP leaders outlined a plan to raise $411 million during the fiscal year that begins July 1. That’s just enough to close the budget gap.
The proposal includes pieces of a plan Gov. Sam Brownback outlined Saturday.
But when GOP senators took a break from their debate to review the plan, several were critical, and Majority Leader Terry Bruce said there wasn’t enough of a consensus.
Brownback proposed boosting the sales tax to 6.65 percent from 6.15 percent. The new Senate plan would set the rate at 6.5 percent
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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Senate has approved a proposal to cut the state sales tax but rejected a companion measure to repeal exemptions to the tax to raise new revenues.
Senators were debating tax proposals late Sunday night. Lawmakers must close a projected $406 million budget shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Some conservative GOP senators wanted to drop the sales tax rate to 5.95 percent from 6.15 percent but repeal numerous exemptions. Their plan would have raised $501 million during the next fiscal year.
Senators separated the proposal and on a voice vote approved the cut in the sales tax rate.
They later voted 30-9 against the rest of the plan.
The plan would have ended exemptions enjoyed by hospitals, blood banks and nonprofit groups like the Boy Scouts.
