Government

A proposed change to Kansas alcohol laws would allow grocery and convenience stores to sell wine and liquor. Currently, wine and spirits are only available at dedicated liquor stores.

A House committee heard from supporters and opponents of the bill Thursday.

The committee room was packed with people interested in the bill, including Jon McCormick with the Kansas Food Dealers Association. McCormick told legislators that current laws cause some Kansans to drive across the state line to buy alcohol.

A Kansas House committee has heard from supporters and opponents of a bill that would limit the bargaining rights of teachers.

The legislation would cut back on the items school districts are required to negotiate with unions from more than two dozen to five. Supporters of the change say it will allow administrators to allocate resources and respond to demands on the education system.

Ken Willard is a member of the Kansas Board of Education and he headed a school efficiency task force created by Gov. Sam Brownback.

A Kansas legislative committee has advanced a bill that would expand the number of public buildings in which concealed weapons are allowed.

Kansas continues to have a lengthy waiting list for services for people with disabilities, but advocates are hoping the list will be addressed thanks to a clause in KanCare that earmarks savings for disability services.

According to the last report issued in May 2012 by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, 4,994 Kansans with developmental disabilities were on a waiting list for services, and some have been waiting for more than eight years. They’re waiting for services like residential and employment support, respite care and personal assistance.

The Wichita City Council approved funding Tuesday for two of the most heavily used municipal pools in Wichita. The pools must meet new ADA requirements.

College Hill pool on the east side of Wichita and Harvest on the west side will split $80,000 from the Capital Improvement Program to meet the new federal ADA standards. That's half of the funding, with the other 50 percent coming from the Department of Public Works and Utilities.