Gov. Brownback to deliver State of the State; Education funding ruling may bring constitutional change; Wichita youth to hold town hall meeting on underage drinking.
Brownback To Deliver State Of The State
Gov. Sam Brownback will outline his 2013 agenda for legislators in his third State of the State address Tuesday.
Brownback is expected to share his plans for balancing the state budget, which faces a projected shortfall of $267 million.
The governor has already suggested that a sales tax increase approved in 2010 and set to expire this summer be kept in place to raise revenue. Brownback is also likely to suggest how legislators should respond to last week's court ruling that declared the state's school finance formula unconstitutional.
The speech will be delivered Tuesday night before a joint session of the House and Senate.
You can listen to Governor Brownback's speech live, on 89.1 FM, or by clicking the 'Listen Live' button on the upper left of this page.
Education Funding Ruling May Prompt Constitutional Change
Education funding took center stage on the first day of this year's Kansas legislative session. Lawmakers returned to Topeka just days after a district court ruled that the state needs to increase school funding.
Union, Activist Groups Hold Rally Against Brownback
About 100 people protested Monday outside the Kansas Statehouse against Gov. Sam Brownback and the GOP-controlled Legislature.
The protesters say that Brownback and his legislative allies are moving the state too far to the right. They are upset with massive income tax cuts approved last year and say that those cuts will help the wealthy while leading to big cuts in spending on public schools and social services.
The groups included the American Federation of Teachers and the National Organization for Women. AFT-Kansas President Lisa Ochs said the groups are ready to fight Brownback and his allies.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Brownback says the governor will protect core state services with budget proposals he'll outline this week.
Wichita High Schoolers To Hold Underage Drinking Town Hall Meeting
A group of students from Wichita-area high schools will host a town hall meeting Tuesday on the dangers of underage drinking.
The Mayor's Youth Council event begins at 6 p.m. in the council board room at Wichita City Hall. Panelists include Mayor Carl Brewer along with some city officials, law enforcement personnel, school and council representatives.
The Mayor's Youth Council is made up of more than 30 students from area high schools.
