GOP Senators Say Problem Gambling Money Misspent
Two Republican state senators say even if the governor approves a request for increased funding to help problem gamblers, the money probably won’t be spent where it was intended under Kansas law.
Gary Haulmark of the Department for Aging and Disability Services has asked for a $3.5 million boost for problem gambling services. Senator Carolyn McGinn, of Sedgwick, wants lawyers for that department to justify how the money is being spent.
Kansas requires 2 percent of gambling proceeds to go into a problem gambling fund. This year, only $740,000 of roughly $9 million in the fund has been budgeted for that purpose.
Senator John Vratil, of Leawood, says the state, in his words, “at best is being intellectually dishonest about how the money is being used.”
Group Seeks To Build Support For Wind Tax Credit
A group that advocates for renewable energy is targeting Kansas’ four U.S. representatives who are opposed to renewing a tax credit for wind energy production.
The Climate + Energy Project, a Kansas-based nonprofit, is trying to gather at least 5,000 signatures urging Representatives Mike Pompeo, Tim Huelskamp, Kevin Yoder and Lynn Jenkins to support extending the tax credit.
The signature drive started after Siemens Wind Power announced that it planned to lay off 256 of its 408 workers at its Hutchinson plant. The company says confusion over the future of the tax credit caused a sharp drop in orders for next year.
Siemens employees are circulating their own letter to the Kansas congressional delegation.
Bardo Formally Inaugurated As President Of WSU
After more than three months on the job, Dr. John Bardo Friday was formally inaugurated Friday as the 13th president of Wichita State University.
Bardo gave his inaugural address to a crowd of faculty, staff, students, state officials and community members – including Former WSU President Don Beggs and Gov. Sam Brownback.
Tuesday Is Deadline For Kansas Voters To Register
Tuesday is the Kansas deadline for registering to vote in the upcoming election. Kansans can register to vote at county election offices or online at the Kansas secretary of state’s website. On Wednesday the Sedgwick County Election Office begins mailing advance voting ballots. Advance voting in person at the election office begins October 24.
