Kansas adjourns Legislature for the year

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A negotiating committee agreed to increase spending by about $14.3 million, or much closer to the Senate position.

The compromise contained two provisions criticized heavily by House members:

•$750,000 to improve the entrance road to a former Army ammunition plant in Parsons to aid redevelopment.

•$20 million in bonding authority for a proposed low-security prison facility that could be located in Yates Center.

Both are in the districts of two Republican Senate leaders, Dwayne Umbarger of Thayer and Schmidt. Opponents called them “pork.”

But Schmidt said House critics were masking the real issue.

“The House has attempted to distract attention from the fact that they passed a budget that the state can’t afford,” he said. “That’s just politics and that happens.”

After two hours of debate late Wednesday, the Senate approved the budget measure 23-11. The House approved it on a 73-49 vote.

Several House members criticized parts of the bill, but said it was the best deal they were likely to get.

“It’s not pretty. There are things in it the House has stood against,” said Rep. Sharon Schwartz, a Washington Republican and the House Appropriations chairwoman. “There have been compromises.”

Other major budget items:

•An additional 20 slots in an autism program for children, at a cost of $500,000. A previous budget bill had authorized 20 other slots.

•An additional $5.6 million for services to developmentally disabled people on waiting lists. It was short of the $15.5 million that advocates say is needed.

•An additional $11.1 million, from tobacco settlement money, for an expansion of the state’s preschool program for low-income 4-year-olds.

•One-time bonuses of $300 for retirees in the state’s pension system. Bonuses would go only to those retired for at least 10 years or who had at least 10 years of employment under the state system.

•The deletion of an additional $8.8 million for community mental health centers.

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To reach Jim Sullinger or David Klepper, call 785-354-1388 or send e-mail to jsullinger@kcstar.com or dklepper@kcstar.com.