Kansas Legislators Work in Rival Budget Plan

Kansas Legislators Work in Rival Budget Plan

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ The Appropriations Committee in the Kansas House has endorsed a bill making $247 million in cuts in the next
state budget.

The committee's plan for shrinking a projected budget deficit relies far more heavily on spending cuts than Gov. Mark Parkinson
and his fellow Democrats want.

The committee's 11-8 vote Tuesday night sent the measure to the House, and debate there was expected Wednesday.

The House committee's action came only hours after the Senate approved a rival deficit-shrinking plan on a 21-17 vote.

While it looks like the House plan is better than the Senate version, neither one does the job of balancing the budget without tax increases. Get back to work kids, and don't come out of that room until you do the whole job.

Some Kansas Republican employees getting special pay bonuses - KTKA.com

Some Kansas Republican employees getting special pay bonuses - KTKA.com

Topeka — Republican leaders who have pushed for cuts in state employee pay have been generous paying their own staffs, according to state payroll records.

For example, Brent Haden, chief of staff to House Speaker Mike O’Neal, received a one-time payment of $20,000 during his first week of employment in January, according to the records. The payment is listed as a pay rate adjustment. Haden makes $90,000 per year.

If this story is accurate, this really upsets me. I would really like to hear from the leadership about these payments. Kansas residents deserve an explanation.

Zack Greinke On Pace To Win 30 Games | Bleacher Report

Zack Greinke On Pace To Win 30 Games Bleacher Report

Zack Greinke (6-0, 0.40) is off to a fast start for the Kansas City Royals and is on pace to win 30 games in 2009. No pitcher has won 30 games since former Detroit Tiger Denny McLain won 31 games in 1968 against just six losses.

It is tougher to win 30 games now because most starting pitchers average 34-35 starts a season. That means they have to record a decision in at least 30 games a season in order to match McLain.

Zach is great, but he is not going to win 30. But it is nice to see the excitement at the K when he is on the mound. And the team seems to be playing well behind him.

Named and shamed: the 16 barred from UK - UK Politics, UK - The Independent

Named and shamed: the 16 barred from UK - UK Politics, UK - The Independent

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she decided to make public the names of 16 people banned since October so others could better understand what sort of behaviour Britain was not prepared to tolerate.

The list includes hate preachers, anti-gay protesters and a far- right US talk show host.

"I think it's important that people understand the sorts of values and sorts of standards that we have here, the fact that it's a privilege to come and the sort of things that mean you won't be welcome in this country," Ms Smith told GMTV.

"Coming to this country is a privilege. If you can't live by the rules that we live by, the standards and the values that we live by, we should exclude you from this country and, what's more, now we will make public those people that we have excluded.

"We are publishing the names of 16 of those that we have excluded since October. We are telling people who they are and why it is we don't want them in this country."

I hope you are all not cheering because the Phelps' are listed here. Just remember, when people can limit the speech of people you disagree with, they can later turn around and ban your speech. This is actually a sad day for free speech in the UK.

French Eat, Sleep More Than Us | NBC Chicago

French Eat, Sleep More Than Us NBC Chicago

The French have taken laissez-faire to a whole new level.

Turns out they spend more time at the table and in bed than many other nations, according to a survey released Monday.

The Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development looked at the use of leisure time among 18 of its 30 member countries and found that the French spend on average nearly 9 hours a day in bed, with leisure continuing in the waking hours.

That means more than 2 hours a day spent eating and drinking — nearly twice as much time at the table as Americans, Canadians or Mexicans.

I am not going to make any generalizations, because, as you know, all generalizations are wrong. But perhaps the French have found a balance in their lives that Americans need to take a closer look at.

Flu virus causes increased sales | CJOnline.com

Flu virus causes increased sales CJOnline.com

As the confirmed number of H1N1 cases grows in the United States, local Walgreens have seen a spike in sales of hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes and Jayhawk Pharmacy is having a difficult time keeping face masks and respirators on its shelves in response to H1N1 flu virus, also known as swine flu.

But health officials are encouraging people to be prepared but to remain calm.

“If we panic, we all become irrational,” said Shawnee County Health Agency medical director Gianfranco Pezzino. “There is no reason to panic. We don’t panic about tornadoes in Kansas, we just ride them out.”

I have seen nothing in what I have read that leads me to believe there is any reason for fear or panic. Actually, this strain of flu seems somewhat mild compared to some in the past. Just do the common things you probably already do to prevent illness and you will be fine.

Governor makes coal deal | CJOnline.com

Governor makes coal deal CJOnline.com

Gov. Mark Parkinson unveiled a secret agreement Monday to break a political stalemate over construction of a coal-fired utility plant at Holcomb and to advance renewable energy policy for the entire state.

The Democratic governor, on the job for one week, joined the top executive at Sunflower Electric Power Corp., of Hays, to outline a deal guaranteeing state permits for a single, 895-megawatt coal-fired power unit. The company must give up on building two units producing 1,400 megawatts of electricity.

Here’s a catch: Republican leaders in the Legislature must pass an array of energy policy changes advocated by environmentalists.

I have to admit I am impressed. This has the makings of a good compromise, since nobody is completely happy with the result, but all can live with it. I am happy for my friends in Southwest Kansas who will see a boost to their economy from this plant.