Government

The logjam over federal funding for a state-of-the-art animal disease laboratory at Kansas State University is on the verge of breaking, according to Kansas Senator Pat Roberts.

Gun rights advocates in Kansas want lawmakers to counter any moves by the federal government to restrict access to firearms.

Advocates traveled to Topeka Tuesday to hear the House and Federal State Affairs Committee consider a bill that aims to protect gun rights in Kansas.  

There was a setback for the University of Kansas Medical Center in state budget discussions Monday.

A Senate committee voted to cut out $10 million that would help pay for a new health education building.

Republican Senator Tom Arpke from Salina originally proposed the cut. Arpke pointed to the tuition increases at KU compared to other universities in the state

“Looking at the overall performance at the Regents universities, it seems to me that the University of Kansas was being... a little fiscally irresponsible,” he said.

The Kansas Senate could vote on Gov. Sam Brownback's tax proposal this week, but it is unclear if the provision that cuts income tax rates can pass the House.

To balance the budget, the bill would eliminate some income tax deductions and keep the sales tax elevated. But Speaker Ray Merrick, a Stilwell Republican, says House members are cool to keeping the sales tax.

“Of course we’re a long way from the finish, and the finish changes a lot of thinking, but right now I don’t see a lot of appetite out here to retain the sales tax,” he says.