BUDGET DISASTER: Revenue shortfalls grow to record levels. At issue: tax hikes versus cuts in education spending.

Expect a battle over budget when Legislature reconvenes April 29

New revenue estimates released this afternoon show Kansas is even worse off budget-wise than expected. [ Read more...]

But Emler says stimulus package 'can do more good if it goes to one-time expenses rather than operational expenses'

Governor blocks ban on using stimulus funds for universities' operating costs

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed the fiscal year 2010 budget yesterday - but not without first making a few changes, including a line-item veto of a portion of the bill that would have required state universities to use federal stimulus dollars only for deferred-maintenance projects. [ Read more...]

Funding cuts? What funding cuts? Next year, though, no raises.

Pay boost means KU profs will pocket an extra $7K for 2008-2009

According to a Chronicle of Higher Education salary survey published Monday, professors at all but two Kansas public universities and colleges received salary raises during the 2008-2009 school year. [ Read more...]

ABORTION POLITICS: Abortionist claims he gave $200K to ProKanDo to help Sebelius

Tiller letter reveals much larger-than-reported donations to Sebelius

A Kansas pro-life organization re-released a letter Wednesday in which late-term Wichita abortionist Dr. George Tiller admitted to personally donating $200,000 to his political action committee, ProKanDo, to support Kathleen Sebelius in her 2002 gubernatorial campaign against pro-life Republican challenger Tim Shallenburger. [ Read more...]

ABORTION REFORM: Michelle Armesto-Berge asks to meet with governor, but gets turned away

Woman who testified about coerced abortion seeks Sebelius help

A Kansas resident who has testified before legislative committees several times on her personal experience of being coerced into having an abortion asked Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to sign legislation that would tighten Kansas abortion laws. [ Read more...]

OBAMA AND THE MILITARY: Kansas National Guard adjutant: 'No evidence of Guard members being more apt than civilians to be recruited into extremist groups.'

Obama administration report paints veterans and abortion opponents as potential terrorists

A Homeland Security assessment that suggested veterans and Americans who oppose abortion, illegal immigration and extreme gun control could represent terrorist threats to the nation has been received angrily by Kansans. [ Read more...]

Brownback: 'American military veterans deserve the respect of a grateful nation, not suspicion and slander.' Jenkins, Tiahrt, Kelsey join chorus of boos.

Brownback blasts Obama administration report targeting vets as 'potential terrorists'

Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano's half-hearted apology for the report she promoted last week about the possible uprising of "right-wing extremists" may have been too little too late. [ Read more...]

ENERGY: Holcomb expansion blocked again. Partner in Sunflower coal plant re-considering its involvement, but Sunflower vows to fight on.

Sebelius vetoes comprehensive energy package

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius vetoed a comprehensive energy package Monday afternoon that would have allowed Sunflower Electric Power Corporation to expand an existing coal-fired power plant in Holcomb. [ Read more...]

POLITICS: More than a year to go, but candidates are already lining up big-name backers. Huelskamp leads with six.

Early endorsements fuel interest in 2010 elections

Although the next election cycle isn't until November 2010, candidates are already campaigning hard and gathering endorsements to help them promote their campaigns. [ Read more...]

That amounts to $41.16 for every Kansan. ‘One man’s pork is another man’s job.’

Kansas congressional delegation nets more than $115 million in earmarks

Members of Kansas’ congressional delegation helped bring home more than $115 million in earmarks for local projects and causes in 2009. [ Read more...]

TEA PARTY NEWS: Ten thousand people show up in Johnson County alone. Derrick Sontag: 'This is not a party thing; the Republican Party was booed just as much as the Democratic Party.'

Huge Tea Party day turnout in Kansas encourages supporters

Two months ago, a Kansas stay-at-home mom organized a tea party outside of Kansas Third District Democratic Congressman Dennis Moore’s Overland Park office. [ Read more...]

COMMENT: Memo to the media: The symbol is important, so don't write off the Tea Party movement. Main Street Money's Bill Wyckoff explains why.

A refreshing spot of tea

I must admit I love iced tea. Not the run-of-the-mill, quick-fix stuff, but the brewed, poured-over-ice type. [ Read more...]

The Week on the Web: Hiatus, Part II

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