KANU News Retention

[DONNA PECK]: (The Kansas City Symphony) announced that William McLaughlin's contract has been extended through 1994. McLaughlin has been with the symphony for six seasons. McLaughlin says he's pleased with this new contract, and he has some big plans for the orchestra. [WILLIAM MCLAUGHLIN]: I think in the next five years in particular, you'll see some major change in direction of the Kansas City Symphony. We want to put the band back into the recording studio. We have done national television production and national radio production, and we'll be doing more. It's a time to sort of increase our horizons, let their horizons go beyond the immediate five state area or so, and become a national and an international orchestra. [DONNA PECK]: There have been some reports of dissension within the symphony. McLaughlin admits before he signed his new contract with Kansas City, he had been talking to symphony officials in Charlotte, North Carolina, about the conductor's job there. For Kansas Public Radio, I'm Donna Peck in Kansas City. ***** [SILENCE] [TAMA WAGNER]: While Representative Robin Jennison believes the Republican alternative offers more local control and avoids drastic cuts outlined in the Democrat plan, Joan Finney says she still likes the statewide mill levy concept included in the Democratic plan,

combined with her revenue package. [JOAN FINNEY]: You'd get property relief on one hand, and then a shift to closing the sales tax loopholes that are out there. [TAMA WAGNER]: The house Tax Committee is expected to kick out a revenue package, but chairperson Joan Wagnon says there is little enthusiasm for repealing exemptions. House Speaker Marvin Barkis says when the dust settles, he believes the Democrats' school finance plan will be standing. Barkis says he doubts the Republican plan would stand up to a Constitutional test. Representative Jennison says critics of the plan either haven't looked at it, or simply don't understand it. There is some urgency in all of this. The court has directed the legislature to come up with a different way to provide an equal education to all Kansas children. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: House tax chairperson Joan Wagnon promises to hold committee members until a consensus is reached on a tax bill. At this point, Wagnon believes the measure will include an upper-bracket income

tax increase plus revenue raised from repealing the exemption on utility bills. [JOAN WAGNON]: We're going to lower property taxes and replace them with another kind of tax. Overall, we're going to still have the same amount of money that's needed to fund schools. It's just going to be paid by different people and distributed to different regions. [TAMA WAGNER]: The revenue package will be coupled with the school finance plan for debate on the house floor next week. Republican house members are expected to attempt to amend their alternative school finance plan into the bill. There is some urgency in this debate. The court has directed the legislature to come up with a better way to provide an equal education to all Kansas children. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [FRANK MORRIS]: Women inmates at the state's only co-ed prison have allegedly been harassed and raped by male guards and prisoners. An attempt several years ago to move maximum security women out of Lansing to a women's prison in Topeka was stopped by legislation barring maximum

security prisoners from the Topeka facility. Opposition remains, but Secretary of Corrections Gary Stotts says women's programs, health care, and specially trained guards already in place at Topeka West, make it the logical place to house maximum security women. [GARY STOTTS]: We just think that the move to Topeka would be a little bit easier to do and more functional. [FRANK MORRIS]: Another plan to segregate male and female prisoners involves renovating two abandoned buildings at Lansing. All female offenders would be moved into these buildings. Under this plan, minimum security male prisoners from Lansing would fill the space vacated by women at Topeka West. Stotts says men are more likely to break out of prison than women. From the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Last session, Jim Allen, a Republican from Ottawa, was a state senator. This session, Allen is employed by one of the largest lobbying firms in Kansas. And Allen has not been the only legislator

to leave the fold to lobby. But a bill that would prohibit such employment for one year after service in the governor's office or the legislature, was rejected on the house floor. Representative Mary Jane Johnson, a Kansas City Democrat, believes the legislature does have the right to pass ethics laws that impact lawmakers while in office, but not after. [MARY JANE JOHNSON]: But this is where I draw the line. When we're out of the legislature, I don't think it's fair to be able to tell us what job we can or can't have. [TAMA WAGNER]: But supporters of the measure say it's necessary to prohibit legislators from being swayed to high paying lobbying jobs. And some also believe legislators-turned-lobbyists have more influence in the process. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: House tax chairperson Joan Wagnon promises to hold committee members until a consensus is reached on a tax bill. At this point, Wagnon believes the measure will include an upper-bracket income tax increase, plus revenue raised from repealing the exemption on utility bills. [JOAN WAGNON]: We're going to lower property taxes, and

replace them with another kind of tax. Overall, we're going to still have the same amount of money that's needed to fund schools. It's just going to be paid by different people, and distributed to different regions. [TAMA WAGNER]: The revenue package will be coupled with the school finance plan for debate on the house floor next week. Republican house members are expected to attempt to amend their alternative school finance plan into the bill. There is some urgency in this debate. The court has directed the legislature to come up with a better way to provide an equal education to all Kansas children. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: While Representative Robin Jennison believes the Republican alternative offers more local control and avoids drastic cuts outlined in the Democrat plan, Joan Finney says she still likes the statewide mill levy concept included in the Democratic plan, combined with her revenue package. [JOAN FINNEY]: You get property relief on one hand, and then a shift to closing the sales

tax loopholes that are out there. [TAMA WAGNER]: The house Tax Committee is expected to kick out a revenue package, but chairperson Joan Wagnon says there is little enthusiasm for repealing exemptions. House Speaker Marvin Barkis says when the dust settles, he believes the Democrats' school finance plan will be standing. Barkis says he doubts the Republican plan would stand up to a Constitutional test. Representative Jennison says critics of the plan either haven't looked at it or simply don't understand it. There is some urgency in all of this. The court has directed the legislature to come up with a different way to provide an equal education to all Kansas children. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: With the increase in alleged gang activity in Kansas, drive-by shootings have increased state wide. This week, eight drive-bys were reported in Wichita alone. A bill passed by the Kansas house would make it easier for law enforcement officials to prosecute offenders involved in drive-by shootings.

Wichita Representative Barbara Lawrence. [BARBARA LAWRENCE]: The kids that are perpetrating these crimes are not the Beaver Cleaver types. They're very hardened -- they're remorseless. And we need to send them a message, that we're no longer going to allow this crime to be punished only lightly. [TAMA WAGNER]: While the measure easily passed in a voice vote, its approval was put in jeopardy by a floor amendment that would have reinstated the death penalty in Kansas. The amendment failed. The house will take final action on Monday; the measure will then be sent to the senate. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: The chairman of the senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, Ed Reilly, has promised the bill will not leave his committee looking the way it did when it arrived from the house. The house bill essentially locks in abortion rights in Kansas. It does, however, offer some restrictions on late-term abortions, and it does require counseling for minors. But anti-abortion forces say the measure does not go far enough to be labeled a compromise. Letters have already

begun pouring in to senators, and anti-abortion advocates promise an intense lobbying effort to see the bill killed in the upper chamber. The senate has historically rejected abortion rights legislation. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [Tama Wagner]: With an increase in alleged gang activity in Kansas, drive-by shootings have increased state wide. Last week, eight drive-bys were reported in Wichita alone. The bill today would make it easier for law enforcement officials to prosecute offenders involved in drive-by shootings by making it a felony offense. Wichita Representative Barbara Lawrence. [BARBARA LAWRENCE]: The kids that are perpetrating these crimes are not the Beaver Cleaver types. They're very hardened -- they're remorseless. And we need to send them a message, that we're no longer going to allow this crime to be punished only lightly. [TAMA WAGNER]: There is some urgency involved in this debate. Sedgwick County

officials have asked the measure be passed and quickly put into law. Once approved by the house, the bill will then be forwarded to a senate committee. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Unlike other state agencies, the Kansas Board of Agriculture is made up of special interest groups, like the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Kansas Livestock Association -- and its secretary is appointed by those groups. An amendment to change the decade-old policy, and instead have the secretary appointed by the governor, failed on the house floor. Representative Bill Bryant. [BILL BRYANT]: It is the only one in the United States that's appointed that way. As we do business with other people in the agricultural sector across the United States, they tell us, "For gosh sake, don't ever let it get political." [TAMA WAGNER]: But the primary sponsor of the amendment, Representative Ed McKechnie, says the board is already political. [ED MCKECHNIE]: The last secretary of agriculture -- Harland Priddle. Not political? He ran for lieutenant governor. Not political? He's currently in the state senate recruiting candidates!

[TAMA WAGNER]: The amendment did fail, as did the original bill. The bill would have required the board undergo a legislative audit. The board is currently one of only three agencies not subject to such review. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [ROB HILTON]: Officials at Wolf Creek say they plan to heat up the plant reactor over the next several days to find out what's causing the unusual noises. NRC inspectors learned last week that Wolf Creek operators had heard the sounds as early as May of 1990, but never reported the incidents to the NRC. The latest noise, which was described as a loud, abnormal boom was heard in late February, while Wolf Creek was closed to repair other safety problems. Plant spokesman Ron Smith says Wolf Creek will start producing electricity again if investigators find the recent noise was insignificant. [RON SMITH]: It's a normal part of plant operation or a valve or something operating that's not going to cause us problems. But it really depends on what the analysis shows during the next couple days. NRC officials began inspecting Wolf Creek after regulators determined plant managers hadn't

conducted enough investigations into the mysterious sounds. Last month the NRC fined Wolf Creek $150,000 for repeatedly failing to inspect safety problems. Members of the Kansas House Energy and Natural Resources Committee say they may conduct hearings on Wolf Creek if the problem with the unusual noises isn't cleared up. For KANU, I'm Rob Hilton. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: The state's anti-abortion forces are well organized and have promised an intense lobbying effort to see the bill defeated. But during the first day of hearings on the measure, supporters of abortion rights like Reverend John Swomley, a minister and professor of Christian ethics, urged committee members to allow individuals, not the state, to determine whether an abortion is appropriate. [REV. JOHN SWOMLEY]: But because religious judgments ought not to be applied to people of other religions or none in our religiously pluralist society. [TAMA WAGNER]: The bill, which essentially codifies the Roe v. Wade decision overwhelmingly won support in the House,

the vote in committee is expected to be close. Senator Ben Vidricksen, a Salina Republican, says he is the swing vote, but many committee members expect the measure will likely face debate on the Senate floor. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: To get that property tax relief created by a statewide mill levy of 29 mills, all Kansans would have to divvy up more sales taxes, income taxes, and corporate income taxes, in total, about $480 million -- $30 million in new state aid for schools, and the remaining $450 million a trade-off for property tax relief. House tax chairperson Representative Joan Wagnon said something had to be done to make the school finance plan more attractive. [JOAN WAGNON]: When we saw support just eroding in many different directions and decided that it was time for something dramatic -- and this is pretty dramatic. [TAMA WAGNER]: The revenue from the property tax shift will be needed to fund education. Critics of the concept, namely house Republicans, say the plan is too expensive. Representative Vince Snowbarger of

Olathe says perhaps it's time school spending be scaled back. The house may debate the school funding plan as early as Wednesday. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: An overflow crowd packed into the hallway outside the statehouse hearing room and occasionally applauded testimony from fellow anti-abortion advocates. Manhattan resident Cathy Mowry contends, no matter what the legislature does, the abortion debate will continue. [CATHY MOWRY]: The uproar in Wichita will happen again and again across the nation, because people are waking up to a nightmare of 28 million abortions since 1973. Some issues do not yield to restrictive legislation. [TAMA WAGNER]: The abortion rights bill easily won approval in the house. Supporters of the measure encouraged its approval in the senate during testimony yesterday. The vote in committee is expected to be very close, but many senators believe the measure will make it to the upper chamber for debate. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: At this point, Democrats have been successful in amending the plan to lower the statewide mill levy to 29 mills. That lower mill levy could cut property tax bills in half state wide. But to get that property tax relief created by the 29 mill levy,

other taxes would have to increase by more than $430 million. Kansans will buy relief by paying increased sales, income, and corporate income taxes. In addition, $160 million in current exemptions would be repealed. The debate on funding schools is expected to run into the early evening. Dozens of amendments have been drafted, as some legislators plan to attempt to alter the plan further. The school finance debate has an added urgency this year, because a Shawnee County district judge has instructed the legislature to find a way to provide each child in Kansas, rich or poor, with an equal educational opportunity. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: On an uncontested voice vote, the house tentatively approved a bill requiring nursing homes accept patients with AIDS-related complications. The chairperson of the house Public Health and Welfare Committee, Representative Carol Sader, admits surprise at the lack of debate on the measure. But the Prairie Village Democrat says the need for such

legislation is obvious. [CAROL SADER]: They cannot discriminate against admitting AIDS patients solely on the basis of the fact that they are AIDS patients, and it's our understanding that some of them are, in fact, doing that now. [TAMA WAGNER]: Some nursing home administrators contend the legislation is not necessary, that the majority of homes in Kansas voluntarily accept AIDS patients. The measure must now be given final action in the house, then will be forwarded to the Kansas Senate. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [ROB HILTON]: Wolf Creek had already been closed for two weeks because of other safety problems when workers heard the loud boom on February 28. Inspectors from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are currently at Wolf Creek investigating the sound. Last week, investigators learned workers at Wolf Creek had heard similar noises at the plant as early as May of 1990, but never reported the incidents. Democratic Representative Ed McKechnie, along with ten other Kansas house representatives, are calling on the house Energy and Natural Resources Committee to hold investigative hearings to learn how much of a threat the sounds could be to the public. McKechnie says that while the NRC is already

investigating the incidents, it's time for the state to review Wolf Creek's safety record. [ED MCKECHNIE]: I don't care what the NRC says. I appreciate that they feel they have it under control. We're not saying they don't have it under control -- we just want to know what's going on. [ROB HILTON]: McKechnie says he decided to call for the legislative hearing after constituents began questioning whether Wolf Creek was safe. State lawmakers don't have the authority to close Wolf Creek, should they find problems with the plant, but McKechnie says a committee hearing could provide the public with objective information about whether Wolf Creek poses any safety threats. For Kansas Public Radio, I'm Rob Hilton at the statehouse. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Fueled by almost a dozen hours of floor debate, the house passed a new school finance plan -- a plan that supporters say will cut statewide property taxes in half, and at the same time provide financial support for schools. But critics of the proposal, like Representative Bob Vancrum, an Overland Park Republican, contend the costs outweigh the benefits. [BOB VANCRUM]: This is not a tax relief plan, ladies and gentlemen.

It is a revenue-raising plan with very little property tax relief in it. [TAMA WAGNER]: To afford the lower mill levy, Kansas taxpayers will buy property tax relief with an increase in the sales tax rate, income tax, and corporate income tax. In addition, some sales tax exemptions would be repealed. The total tax package costs about $450 million. The measure will now face a senate challenge. The proposal may have some difficulty in getting a gubernatorial signature. Joan Finney continues to oppose a sales tax increase. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [FRANK MORRIS]: Lacey says he can understand why some legislators may consider his one year of college insufficient to qualify him to be secretary of Wildlife and Parks. He says his lifelong interest in the outdoors and leadership in the National Guard give him the experience and education called for by Kansas law. Senator Audrey Langworthy disagrees. [AUDREY LANGWORTHY]: It's just the fact that he is a nice

guy and likes to hunt, fish, read sporting magazines, books and so on, does not, in my mind, have him overseeing a several million dollar budget -- $4 million or more budget -- managing 400 people. [FRANK MORRIS]: Both Langworthy and Lacey said they're glad to have the issue behind them. Lacey says he'll keep Wildlife and Parks moving in the same direction it was under his one-year tenure as acting secretary. From the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: The anti-abortion network has been activated through phone trees, letters, and voice mailboxes like this. [RECORDED MESSAGE]: And Monday, March 16, let's all go to Topeka -- I mean everybody in the state -- let's go to Topeka at noon on March 16, and turn up and let the senate know that this bill is dead. We want everyone who can, especially the pastors, to be in Topeka on March 16 at noon. More important

than anything we've done this year. [TAMA WAGNER]: Senator Ed Reilly is expecting efforts like the voice mailbox, based in Wichita, to organize hundreds of protesters as his committee begins work on a bill that could lock in abortion rights in Kansas. Hearings on the bill have concluded, and Reilly does anticipate the measure will be passed out of his committee on to the senate floor for debate. The bill codifies the Roe v. Wade decision, and it is expected to face a tough challenge in the upper chamber. The house overwhelmingly approved the measure. However, if it should pass the senate, it will most likely meet with a veto from anti-abortion governor Joan Finney. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [MALE SPEAKER]: The best ghost stories, for me, take place in bright sunlight rather than in the eerie dark. That's why I like Carolyn Doty's novel, "Whisper." It moves in and out of well-furnished, well-lighted places, through fancy addresses and charming locations, and manages to make the most highly-polished surfaces into mirrors with very strange reflections. ***** [MAN ADDRESSING PROTESTORS]: Ladies and gentlemen, I am so proud

to now introduce the honorable, pro-life, Governor Joan Finney. [CHEERING] [FRANK MORRIS]: Finney promised over 600 anti-abortion protestors gathered in front of the statehouse that she would fight the house-passed abortion rights bill. [JOAN FINNEY]: The bill currently before the legislature is a pro-abortion bill. [CHEERING] I will veto this bill if it comes to my desk. [CHEERING] [FRANK MORRIS]: The bill would make Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision protecting abortion rights, Kansas law. The measure requires minors under 16 to get counseling before having an abortion, and prohibits aborting fetuses that could survive outside the womb, unless the mother's health is endangered, or the fetus is severely deformed. A rash of amendment attempts are expected later this week when the bill hits the senate floor for debate. At the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: "No smoking" signs could soon be posted at the statehouse, and also

a smoking ban could be implemented in medical facilities across the state. In addition to the proposed ban, a 10 cent excise tax could be added to the cost of tobacco products. Representative Henry Helgerson, a Wichita Democrat, says the additional revenue will be used to foot the high cost of smoking. [HENRY HELGERSON]: If you are a nonsmoker, you are still paying the financial responsibility of a voluntary decision that someone makes. That voluntary decision, we estimate, costs every man, woman, and child in Kansas about $262. It seems ludicrous that at a time that we don't have the financial resources to pay for basic health care, that we're paying for someone's voluntary habit. [TAMA WAGNER]: Helgerson believes increasing the cost of tobacco may lead to decreased use. Tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds Company is expected to mount an extensive lobbying effort to see the measure's defeated. A company spokesperson said the use of tobacco should remain a personal freedom, and it's not a matter for state government intervention. Similar anti-smoking measures failed last session. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [RON SMITH]: Right now, it's too early to tell.

We're continuing to analyze all the data and to try to determine what the cause was. We have found some pipe supports which were slightly out of position, and those have been fixed. We've done valve testing and found no problems with the valves. After this noise occurred, we did look at all the systems and could not find any damage to the plant, so we're continuing to look at it. [VANCE HEINER]: Officials with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have been at Wolf Creek ever since the previous noise, which was described as a loud boom, occurred on February 28. Wolf Creek spokesman Ron Smith says the noise on Monday night occurred when the plant's reactor was heated up again after being idle for a month. Yesterday afternoon, Smith said officials still didn't know what was causing the noise. [RON SMITH]: After this noise occurred last night, we did look at all the systems and could not find any damage to the plant, so we're continuing to look at it. [VANCE HEINER]: Wolf Creek has been repeatedly fined by the NRC for safety violations, and has

received one of the nuclear industry's lowest ratings for quality control management. NRC officials recently criticized plant managers for not reporting similar loud noises at the plant reactor, which occurred as far back as 1990. Nearly a dozen Kansas lawmakers are calling for a legislative hearing on Wolf Creek safety problems. For KANU, I'm Vance Heiner. ***** [MALE SPEAKER]: Frankly, I don't know the answer to that question, other than I think that it might be just luck. I don't think the explanation lies in that he took corrective action in any way, because he wasn't aware that he had compiled 40 checks that were technically considered overdrafts by the bank. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Abortion rights advocates knew something was up because anti-abortion senator John Strick was carrying the bill. They were also very aware support of the house-passed abortion rights measure was faltering. But they were caught off guard by the approval of a technical amendment that, in effect, abolished the measure. Anti-abortion advocates are reveling in the senate action. Kevin Yowell with Kansans for Life. [KEVIN YOWELL]: This was a horrible bill. This was a terribly pro-abortion bill. It would have made us

one of the two or three most pro-abortion states in the country. It's a great victory to stop this bill. [TAMA WAGNER]: Both sides agree the abortion debate this session is likely over, but activists on both sides say the matter is far from resolved. They say the debate will now take center stage in the upcoming elections. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Abortion rights advocates say they knew something was up, because anti-abortion senator John Strick had been assigned to carry the house-passed bill. They were also very aware support for the abortion rights measure was faltering, but they were caught off guard by the approval of a technical amendment that, in effect, abolished the bill. While abortion-rights advocates were angered and frustrated by the senate action, activists on the other side are reveling in the decision. Kevin Yowell, with Kansans for Life. [KEVIN YOWELL]: This was a horrible bill. This was a terribly pro-abortion bill. It would have made us one of the two or three most pro-abortion states in the country. It's a great victory to stop this bill. [TAMA WAGNER]: Both sides agree the abortion debate this session is likely over, but activists on both

sides now say the matter is far from resolved. They say the debate will now take center stage in the upcoming elections. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [FRANK MORRIS]: The bill seeks to loosen antitrust laws standing in the way of greater cooperation between healthcare providers. KDHE Division of Health Director Dick Morrissey says the plan calls for rural healthcare networks with several primary care facilities clustered around a full-service hospital. He says such networks could save small hospitals and ensure rural Kansans access to healthcare. [DICK MORRISSEY]: A major shortcoming is that the system is fragmented. It's characterized by competition rather than cooperation, isolation rather than association. [FRANK MORRIS]: Morrissey says over 20 Kansas hospitals have agreed to work together under federal guidelines, in which they are classified as either primary care or full-service healthcare providers. He says these facilities have been awarded over $3 million in startup grants from the federal government. Morrissey says Kansas leads the nation in restructuring rural healthcare. From the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. ******

[ED MCKECHNIE]: We were at a legislative coffee last weekend, and a lot of constituents in my district raised concerns about what this loud noise was. I think that when you think about it, any time there's a loud noise coming from a nuclear power plant and it's unexplained, there needs to be some answers. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: On a voice vote the house sent the measure to final action that will occur on Monday. There is some doubt the amendment will be able to garner the necessary two-thirds majority to place it on the August ballot. Representative Bob Krehbiel, a Pretty Prairie Democrat, says the house efforts may, in fact, be an exercise in futility. He says the courts may have already made the decision on casino gambling for Kansans voters. [BOB KREHBIEL]: You can't allow one form of Class-3 gambling in Kansas -- and that is the lottery -- and not permit Indians, or their American native neighbors, to operate other forms of Class-3 gambling, and that's the essence of the Wisconsin lawsuit.

[TAMA WAGNER]: But supporters of the amendment contend voters did not know, when they approved a statewide lottery in the 1980s, that they were also opening the door for casinos. The measure has already been approved by the senate. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [RON SMITH]: These are a part of the reactor coolant system piping, but we know from the instrumentation that there has not been enough energy release by these events to cause damage to that piping system. So, that is not a concern. Obviously we do want to find out the cause and correct it. [ROB HILTON]: In the past month, workers at Wolf Creek have heard two mysterious booms from the reactor building that have been loud enough to shake the facility. The noises occurred when the plant was being heated. Wolf Creek spokesman Ron Smith says operators will heat the plant again today to determine whether the noises were caused by key pipes in the plant's cooling system that expanded because of extreme temperature changes. Smith says part of the pipes' restraining

system may have hit against a restraining bar during past plant heat-ups, causing the loud booms and tremors. [RON SMITH]: You're moving these big piping systems, and when they make contact at the time they were, they tend to keep wanting to expand a little bit. And what we believe is happening, is that they push as they're expanding, and then all of a sudden they push into their final position, and that rapid movement is what we believe is a contributor to the noise. [ROB HILTON]: Officials with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have said they fear the pipes may have been damaged, which could cause them to leak and lose vital coolant used to prevent the reactor from overheating. But Smith says Wolf Creek officials don't believe there's been any damage to the pipes. For KANU, I'm Rob Hilton. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Joan Finney often says her programs are driven by what the real people of Kansas want. And this time she believes the people do not want a higher sales tax rate to pay for public schools. But a smattering of residents from southeast Kansas heckled when the governor said, on their

behalf, she's opposed to the house-passed school finance plan. [JOAN FINNEY]: While there is great merit to the house bill which is now before the senate, the 5 percent sales tax rate it carries is too high, and the average Kansan cannot bear an increase in income taxes to fund school. [CROWD BOOS] [TAMA WAGNER]: Parsons resident Lori Bigler says she is more than willing to pay additional sales taxes to ensure property tax relief and adequate funding for public education. But Finney would rather raise necessary dollars by repealing exemptions and cashing in on video lottery revenue. Finney says she'll veto the house plan if it comes to her desk with the sales tax increase intact. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [MIKE MATSON]: The tribe is upset over Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan's handling of the agreement they reached with Governor Joan Finney to bring casino gambling to their reservation near Horton. The tribe says Lujan is being leaned on politically by powerful Washington interests bent on

embarrassing Governor Finney. During a news conference in her statehouse office, the governor would not go that far. [JOAN FINNEY]: Well, I don't know why Secretary Lujan, really, is delaying as he has. [MIKE MATSON]: Tribal leaders say Lujan has approved similar compacts with other governors from other states with virtually no questions asked. Now Lujan's awaiting word from the Kansas supreme court, which has been asked to determine whether the legislature should have input into the agreements the governor is reaching with the tribes. The new lawsuit threat came on the same day the house approved a public referendum on casino gambling. Mike Matson, the statehouse. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: The house has approved a constitutional amendment that will ask Kansas voters to determine whether the state should allow casino gambling. The attorney general says it's not too late for Kansas to close the door on casinos. But critics of the measure say regardless of what voters decide, casinos will eventually operate in Kansas. On the house floor, Representative Ed McKechnie, a Pittsburg Democrat, voiced his opposition to the amendment. [ED MCKECHNIE]: I do not want casino gambling in Kansas, but this resolution will do nothing to stop it. The people of Kansas are tired of this legislature playing games on public policy. This SCR is a bigger lie than reappraisal and classification combined.

Casino gambling won't stop, only the ability of the legislature to regulate it. [TAMA WAGNER]: Past court decisions have determined if a state operates gambling, like the Kansas Lottery, it cannot prohibit Native American tribes from running similar games. The amendment now faces further negotiations in a conference committee, and will be forwarded to the August primary ballot. Kickapoo tribal leaders say the house decision is a setback, but chairman Steve Kadue says they'll now ask the courts for a ruling. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [RON SMITH]: At this point, it's a matter of presenting data to the NRC, and if they concur then going on into production of operation, or production of electricity. ***** [FRANK MORRIS]: Children's advocates, representatives of the judicial branch, and big business all say a distinct new court to handle both divorce and juvenile crimes would save the state money and provide faster, fairer settlements

for the families involved. [FEMALE SPEAKER]: If these things had been investigated correctly, if there had been people in the court systems that would have investigated, so much misery would have been avoided, so much court time would have been avoided. So much money to our state of Kansas would have been avoided. [FRANK MORRIS]: The bill before the senate Judiciary Committee would initiate a grant program for two pilot family court systems. Some committee members voiced concerns that the pilot program was unnecessary. They say the needs of embattled families could be addressed by shifting responsibilities in the current court system. Discussion on the issue continues tomorrow. From the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: The legislature is feverishly working to improve the way it pays for public education to meet a direction from a Shawnee County district court judge. The judge has hinted the current method may be unconstitutional. But Russell Branden, an elementary school principal in Sublette, told the senate committee considering the house-passed plan to turn back. [RUSSELL BRANDEN]: And I'm urging you

not to be quick to react to the opinions -- one opinion -- of one judge. I do encourage you to remember that the task at hand is to fund education. It is to prepare children for the 21st century, not necessarily to reduce property tax. [TAMA WAGNER]: Branden contends the current formula, if fully funded, would provide an equal educational opportunity. Some GOP lawmakers agree they'll offer an alternative to the house plan during debate on the senate floor next week. The house plan is an attempt to reduce property taxes while providing an equal education. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [ROB HILTON]: During the three-hour-long meeting, federal regulators say they agree with operators of Wolf Creek, that the plant is safe and would pose no threat to the public by resuming normal operations. The NRC's announcement was made despite the fact that neither federal regulators nor Wolf Creek officials can explain what caused the mysterious noise from the plant's reactor building in May of 1990. Two

similar noises, described as loud booms that shook the reactor building, were heard in the past month at the plant. The NRC and operators of Wolf Creek say that expanding and contracting pipes in the reactor's cooling system caused the recent noises. There had been concern that the cooling pipes had been damaged, which could cause a leak and increase the risk of a meltdown. But NRC officials say there's no evidence proving the pipes have been overstressed, and that federal regulators believe the pipes can sustain the normal production of electricity. Today's public meeting was intended to give Kansans a chance to question officials about safety concerns at Wolf Creek, but no one from the general public attended meeting. For KANU, I'm Rob Hilton. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Stephan's attorneys are challenging the credibility of three key prosecution witnesses in the federal government's case against the state's top law enforcement official. According to court documents, the defense alleges Topeka attorney Marge Phelps told a client in 1984 or 1985 that she would be willing to lie to destroy Stephan. Phelps denies the charges. Stephan and

Topeka attorney Bob Storey are facing perjury charges in connection with the settlement of a decade-old sexual harassment lawsuit. That lawsuit was filed by a former Stephan employee, Marcia Tomson Stingley. Phelps represented Stingley in the original suit. The US Attorney's Office has declined comment until necessary responses are on file. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: It's no secret that many senate Republicans are not fans of the house-passed plan, and now they believe they have the ammunition to shoot it down. A budget briefing spelled out that by fiscal year 1995, the expensive house plan will create a $210 million shortfall. But house majority leader Tom Sawyer says the budget scenario is simply good rhetoric. [TOM SAWYER]: Listen, that doesn't mean anything. If they revamp the SDA and run their plan, and let's say their plan goes through -- and $85 million is the number I've been hearing -- you're still going to have those same kind of nugget of numbers in the out years. [TAMA WAGNER]: But Ways and Means chairman Gus Bogina argues before voting, senators need to look ahead at the future impact of the house plan.

Senate leaders contend their idea to revamp the current school funding formula is less expensive and will not create a future budget drain. At the urging of Shawnee County District Court Judge Terry Bullock, the legislature is working to improve the way it pays for public schools. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [MALE SPEAKER]: We could have bought these the way they were, and we would have still been well within our safety margin, but we elected to take these shims out and to open those clearances up to provide ourselves even more margin. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Kansas is cashing in on a loophole which allows the state to be reimbursed for some costs in caring for the indigent. It's $185 million new dollars, more than enough to make budget-weary legislators giddy. But Ways and Means chairman Gus Bogina warns, it's a one time payment, and he believes it should not be added into the state budget. [GUS BOGINA]: I was firmly resistant that they not do that, because once you build it into the space, the

move would be to keep it in there, and we can't do it because it's a non-sustained funding source. I would very strongly object and vote against, work against building it into any outgoing programs. [TAMA WAGNER]: For example, Bogina says the windfall should not be used to finance public schools or to fund the burgeoning state welfare case load. Governer Joan Finney is recommending the millions be used for housing, a low-income energy assistance program, welfare cash shortfalls, and capital improvements at four regions' institutions. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ****** [ROB HILTON]: Officials with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Wolf Creek say they've solved recent problems with noises that shook the plant's reactor building. But plant operators and federal regulators say they can't explain what caused another noise in the plant's reactor building in May of 1990. NRC inspectors and Wolf Creek officials, however, say the noise wasn't serious, and that whatever caused it poses no threat to the public. Despite that, Kansas lawmakers next week will hold a legislative hearing into Wolf Creek's safety record. Lawmakers say they want

operators of Wolf Creek and NRC officials to respond to some Kansans who've said they're worried about the plant. At the same time, officials with the Kansas Corporation Commission are trying to decide whether operators of Wolf Creek could have repaired or prevented the noise problems earlier. In the past month, owners of Wolf Creek have spent millions of dollars in extra costs to compensate for the lost energy. KCC officials are trying to determine whether those costs should be passed on to customers. Don Low, director of the KCC's Utilities Division, said that KCC could decide to hold public hearings on the consumer charges or reject them, depending on a staff review of NRC investigations. For KANU, I'm Rob Hilton. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Hundreds of supporters packed into the old supreme court room at the statehouse to catch a glimpse of Hillary Clinton. Red, white, and blue Clinton stickers adorned most lapels, and the wife of the Arkansas presidential hopeful took advantage of the friendly setting to criticize the economic policies of the opposition. [HILLARY CLINTON]: We can build an economic policy by going back to basics. And that

means a people-based economic policy, not a money-based one like we tried in the 1980s. I don't care whether you call it a capital gains tax, like George Bush or a flat tax like Jerry Brown, that's going in the wrong direction. [TAMA WAGNER]: Clinton says her husband supports investment tax credits to spur business and job creation. During the brief visit in Topeka, Clinton was also forced to defend the ethical and moral character of her husband. The latest jab came in a New York Times article that says Clinton exempted himself from an Arkansas disclosure law. Mrs. Clinton called the accusation ridiculous. It's not known whether the candidate will stump in Kansas before the April 7 primary. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [FEMALE SPEAKER]: The experts tell us that this is not anything that would have a biological effect on the worker. It was such a small amount of his skin that was exposed. This particle was smaller than the point of a pen. [MALE SPEAKER]: I don't think we have any reason to conclude that their

health and safety oversight has broken down. Or to be more specific about it, that their radiation program has broken down. Obviously, somehow or other, a hot particle, a radioactive particle made its way onto this worker's skin. And we're quite interested in finding out how that occurred. ***** [FRANK MORRIS]: The governor says Kansas has a chance to guarantee an equal educational opportunity for all its kids and come up with a property tax break for small business and homeowners. Finney today reiterated her pledge to veto any plan which includes raising the state sales tax to 5 cents, but she left the door open to a half cent increase. [JOAN FINNEY]: I don't want the sales tax increased at all. I think we've got to hold this, tighten this spending down, and certainly the taxing, because this has put the state at a great disadvantage. [FRANK MORRIS]: Finney has proposed ending some sales tax exemptions to help pay for

education. She says she remains optimistic that the senate can come up with a school finance plan amenable to her in the next two weeks. From the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Last summer, a Shawnee County district court judge encouraged the legislature to come up with a more equitable way of funding public schools. The senate Education Committee has decided the current finance method could do that, if it's restructured and adequately funded. But Wichita Democrat Senator Jim Ward says the GOP-backed plan does not address the judge's concerns. [JIM WARD]: What we're talking about is is school districts spend money per pupil. In some districts they spend over $10,000 per student, in others they spend as little as $3,000 and that's not based on educational reasons, it's based simply on geography -- where you live. [TAMA WAGNER]: But GOP supporters argue that judge did not declare the current formula unconstitutional, and they say revamping it will be less expensive than the house plan. But numbers from the board of

education indicate the expense of the senate plan could create a $180 million budget shortfall next fiscal year. Because of the dramatic differences in the senate and house plans, many legislators fear a deadlock is looming on the school finance debate this session. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. **** [TAMA WAGNER]: Noises described as shockwaves that were loud enough to jar the reactor building highlighted the problem at the plant near Burlington. Following an investigation, officials with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Wolf Creek believe they have fixed the problem by altering the cooling pipe structure. Wolf Creek official Bart Withers says the mishap did not cause any long-term damage to the plant. [BART WITHERS]: It had no effect on the integrity on the cooling system or the reactor containment itself. [TAMA WAGNER]: The plant's new parent company, KPL Gas Service and the NRC are satisfied with the solution. But some state officials remain skeptical. During a legislative information hearing Representative Stevi Stephens, a vocal anti-nuclear advocate questioned the integrity of plant management, citing numerous NRC infractions since the plant went online in 1985,

infractions which have resulted in thousands of dollars in fines, and finally noting a noise heard in 1990 remains unexplained. As a result of the latest incident at Wolf Creek, Governor Joan Finney has suggested the state take a more active regulatory role in monitoring the power plant. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [FRANK MORRIS]: Senator Bill Morris has offered a nine-page abortion amendment. The measure passed the senate 28 to 12. The amendment places much more stringent restrictions on abortion than the house-passed abortion bill, which the senate killed last month without debate. Morris says his measure should garner a wide base of support. [BILL MORRIS]: It's certainly something that any thinking person that's not fanatical on either side should be able to support. [FRANK MORRIS]: Morris says the amendment is intended to fill a void in Kansas abortion law that would open if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade this summer. He says the measure would place many new restrictions on a woman's right to abortion.

The measure calls for parental notification and counseling for all minors under 18, and prohibits late-term abortion, unless the woman's life is in danger or the fetus has a severe abnormality. Attempts to amend the amendment continue in the senate this afternoon. From the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. [BILL MORRIS]: A person that's not fanatical on either side should be able to support it. [FRANK MORRIS]: Morris says the bill is intended to fill a void in Kansas law that would open if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade this summer. He says the measure places many new restrictions on a woman's right to abortion. The measure calls for parental notification and counseling for minors, an 8-hour waiting period before going through the procedure, and prohibits late-term abortion unless the woman's life is in jeopardy, or if the fetus has a severe abnormality. From the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. **** [FRANK MORRIS]: The bill places much more stringent restrictions on abortion than the house-passed abortion legislation which senate killed last month without debate. Senator Bill Morris

says the measure represents a compromise on abortion. [BILL MORRIS]: It's certainly something that any thinking person that's not fanatical on either side should be able to support. [FRANK MORRIS]: Morris says the bill is intended to fill a void in Kansas law that would open if the US Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade this summer. He says the measure would place many new restrictions on a woman's right to abortion. The measure calls for parental notification and counseling for minors, an eight-hour waiting period before going through the procedure, and prohibits late-term abortion, unless the woman's life is in jeopardy or the fetus has a severe abnormality. From the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. ***** [MIKE MATSON]: Yesterday's senate debate was born two weeks ago when senators took a beating for their refusal to debate a house-passed pro-choice bill. Amy Bixler is a lobbyist for the Kansas Chapter of the National Organization of Women. [AMY BIXLER]: We are very pleased that the senate finally owned up to their responsibility and did what they were elected to do. [MIKE MATSON]: Even with the new

restrictions, the pro-choice community is embracing this legislation, since it repeals a 1969 state law which makes abortion a criminal offense. Kenda Bartlett is a lobbyist for the Concerned Women for America. [KENDA BARTLETT]: My question is are we making abortion legal, with just a few restrictions, or are we still saying it's an illegal act with some exceptions? There are some problems with that still. [MIKE MATSON]: Pro-life Governor Joan Finney has promised to sign any legislation that restricts abortion. This legislation does. But the fact that the pro-choice community also likes it may be enough to scare her off. Mike Matson, the statehouse. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: In a surprising move, the house this afternoon voted to concur with the senate version of an abortion bill. The senate bill is more restrictive than the original house abortion measure. Representative Susan Wagle, like other anti-abortion legislators grasped the senate compromise as the best they could get. [SUSAN WAGLE]: And I believe that this bill will save a lot of babies in the state of Kansas. [TAMA WAGNER]: But abortion-rights lawmakers argued the senate plan

should be sent to a conference committee, so that they could get the abortion bill closer to the house-passed measure. Representative Kathleen Sebelius. [KATHLEEN SEBELIUS]: I would urge this body and the 82 of you who voted for House Bill 2778 to take some time and look at what's in this bill. This is not the bill that you passed. [TAMA WAGNER]: The abortion debate resurfaced this session because advocates on both sides believe the U.S. Supreme Court could repeal at least a portion of the Roe v. Wade decision, an action that would send the decision on abortion back to the states. The measure will now be forwarded to Governor Joan Finney, who is an abortion opponent. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [ROB HILTON]: There are 72 total delegate votes at stake in the Kansas primary. That's only about a fifth of the total delegates in New York, and about half of the delegates at stake in Wisconsin. There have been no local television ads for the major candidates, and so far Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton is the only frontrunner to schedule a last-minute visit to Kansas. Rick Truitt is a political columnist with the Kansas City Star.

[?RICK TRUITT?]: This state should not be taken for granted, and the voters here are in tune with the alienation that's happening all across the country. [ROB HILTON]: This may be the last presidential primary in Kansas for some time. Many voters say the election is a waste of time and money because the state can't produce enough delegates to have an impact on national voting trends. For Kansas Public Radio I'm Rob Hilton. ***** [ROB HILTON]: Up to now the candidates in this year's presidential race have paid little attention to Kansas, focusing instead on the primaries in New York and Wisconsin. Clinton will be the only candidate to make an appearance in Kansas. Bill McDonald is a representative with Clinton's national campaign staff, and says the Arkansas governor is scheduled to land at Forbes Field in Topeka at about 8:30 tonight. [BILL MCDONALD]: One of his messages to Kansans is that you are important and your vote does count. There's been some concern that the voter turnout might not be as high as people would like tomorrow, and I think that's going to be part of his message, is to let people know

that even though there may not be quite as many delegates here as in New York or Wisconsin, Kansas's vote does count. [ROB HILTON]: Political analysts in Kansas are expecting Clinton to win the state's Democratic primary by a slim margin. For Kansas Public Radio, I'm Rob Hilton. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Following a full day of debate Saturday, the Kansas senate rejected a plan to pay for public schools in Kansas. While a majority of senators supported a proposed change that would dramatically alter the way Kansas pays for schools, they were not prepared to swallow a $330 million tax package to fund the formula. Senate majority leader Fred Kerr says the upper chamber will be asked to reconsider the action. [FRED KERR]: We don't want the bill just to die here. We need further consideration of it by probably the senate Education Committee, and then by the full senate. [TAMA WAGNER]: Education lobbyists blame the Republican leadership for the plan's failure. Most GOP senators support changing the current school funding formula rather than the proposed new method. But others, like the Democratic delegation from Wyandotte County, supported the

formula, but then rejected the tax package to pay for it. Last summer, a Shawnee County district court judge gave lawmakers this session to come up with a way to provide each child in Kansas, rich or poor, with an equal educational opportunity. This is the final week of the regular session. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: The major candidates have more or less ignored the Kansas election because it's competing with the primary in delegate-rich New York. The lack of national attention is expected to keep voter turnout low. State election officials believe less than 40 percent of Kansas registered voters will cast ballots, and of those, dissatisfaction and frustration is very high. That frustration could be best illustrated by Kansas Governor Joan Finney. The governor remains uncommitted. [JOAN FINNEY]: I think we have some good candidates, and I may end voting, supporting one of them. But at this time, it's none of the above. [TAMA WAGNER]: As many as 36,000 other Kansans

could follow the governor's lead and vote "none of the above" in today's preference primary. This is only the second time in state history Kansas has held a presidential preference primary, and it could be the last. Critics say the $1.5 million cost of the election is too much, especially when little attention is being paid to Kansas voters. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [MUSIC] [FRANK MORRIS]: Clinton warmed up the crowd with talk of college basketball and jokes about his friend and colleague, former Kansas Governor John Carlin. But the candidate was soon espousing an energy policy more heavily reliant on natural gas, and an industrial policy centered on employing potentially unemployed Kansas defense workers in high-tech industry. [BILL CLINTON]: We haven't cut defense enough, but we cut it too much with no conversion plan. That's not the government's job. In the eyes of George Bush, that's not the government's job -- to worry about the factory workers, the technicians, the scientists, the engineers, the women and men in the service who not only won Desert Storm, but won the whole Cold War. To heck with them, let them worry about the

market. [FRANK MORRIS]: Clinton said Kansans share old fashioned values with his native and nearby Arkansas. He said solid citizens across the country have been set adrift by weak leadership from the White House. [BILL CLINTON]: The average working family in Kansas is spending a month a year longer on the job than they were 20 years ago. We have lost the work ethic, we're under-organized, undereducated, and under-led. That is what is the matter with the United States of America. [FRANK MORRIS]: For Kansas Public Radio, I'm Frank Morris. ***** [FRANK MORRIS]: Bullock praises Governor Finney and the legislature for working hard to come up with a constitutional school finance formula. He says he's optimistic they can find a solution and avert a trial. But in order to avoid trial, Bullock says the legislature must produce a formula based on rational explanations for disparities in per-pupil spending. Court system education and information officer Ron Keefover says Bullock wants spending to be based on students' needs, not where they live. [RON KEEFOVER]: The judge is looking for a formula that would be based on actual need and equally. [FRANK MORRIS]: Bullock has said

the 1st of June is the tentative trial date. Should the issue go to court, Bullock says he wants a verdict soon enough to give the legislature time to rework the finance formula before schools submit budgets in August. The senate Education Committee has once again taken up the school finance problem. The full senate amended and rejected a $304 million GOP plan passed by the committee last week. From the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Abortion opponents say the bill on the governor's desk will guarantee legal abortion in nearly all cases if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. They say loopholes significantly weaken restrictions in the so-called compromise measure. Most anti-abortion groups are now urging Finney to veto the bill. But Representative Tim Carmody, a Johnson County Republican who opposes abortion, believes it would be wise to take a closer look at the provision. [TIM CARMODY]: I would hope that the fact that the bill received 71 votes in the house and I think 27 or 26 in the senate would at least cause the governor's office to ask, you know, "Why was there this

support?" [TAMA WAGNER]: While many on the anti-abortion side are requesting a veto, so are many abortion rights supporters, who say the measure contains too many restrictions. Some say the agreement on both sides of the issue for a veto, could mean a middle ground has finally been found on this issue. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [FRANK MORRIS]: Wichita voters came out in force to recall a school board member, and seven counties in southwest Kansas voted to try to form a new separate state. As expected, George Bush swept the Republican ballot, and Bill Clinton was by far the most popular Democrat. But the "none of the names shown" choice came in a strong third. Some voters say they've been repulsed by the hostile campaigning that led up to yesterday's election. [FEMALE INTERVIEWEE]: So I think there's so much mudslinging in this mess, that it's pathetic. Instead of staying with the basic issues that really needs to be said in, they want to

throw mud at each other. [FRANK MORRIS]: Former candidate Paul Tsongas defeated Jerry Brown. Over a third of eligible Kansans asserted their right to vote in yesterday's election. From the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Perhaps it was Judge Terry Bullock's praise this week of the legislature's efforts to improve school finance that prodded the senate Education Committee to approve this plan. You'll recall Bullock has instructed lawmakers to come up with a school finance plan that will provide each child in Kansas with an equal shot at education. Senator Nancy Parrish supports the concept of a statewide mill levy, but believes it will take more money to fund the proposal. [NANCY PARRISH]: I would've believed even more underfunded than the house version was, and there were some concerns about the house version being underfunded. [TAMA WAGNER]: Parrish says because the house and senate plans are moving closer together, legislators may have an easier time reaching a compromise. Some GOP senators remained skeptical the new plan will be able to do all it's supposed to do -- lower property taxes and fund schools. But the debate on the measure could come as soon as today in the

Kansas senate. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [FRANK MORRIS]: Eighty-five percent of the primary voters in the natural gas rich southwestern corner of Kansas have elected to start secession proceedings. The Kansas constitution has no provision for lawful secession, but Hugoton lawyer Don Concannon says if the state tries to prevent the move, rebel counties will appeal to the United Nations. [DON CONCANNON]: If the state doesn't want us to secede, then I think that we would have to consider filing a declaration of independence and asking the United Nations to declare us an independent nation. [FRANK MORRIS]: Concannon says Topeka already extracts more than its share of revenue from the area in the form of a natural gas severance tax. He says the proposed statewide uniform property tax to fund education, would drastically raise southwest Kansas taxes and speed the flow of money to the east. [DON CONCANNON]: The legislature totally ignores what we have, except to take it away from us. And the people are not going to stand for it anymore. [FRANK MORRIS]: From the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. ***** [FRANK MORRIS]: The plan is centered on a 1/2

cent sales tax increase and over $120 million new dollars in individual income taxes. It also places a 2.5 percent sales tax on original construction and six other formerly exempt services and products. Senator Fred Kerr says the Republican school finance package is a viable alternative to the $450 million house plan. [FRED KERR]: This is a plan, it's a little leaner and meaner, but it still does provide monies to the school districts that are lower-spending districts, and I think makes some good steps towards addressing the concerns that Judge Bullock raised. [FRANK MORRIS]: Voting on the bill split the committee along party lines. Democrats opposed the measure calling it short sighted, and saying it does little to alleviate widespread disparities in per-pupil spending and mill levy rates. Senator Janis Lee. [JANIS LEE]: I see this as rather fruitless, and a waste of our time and a waste of the taxpayers' time. It is obvious this proposal that was passed out of this committee this morning will not pass judicial muster. [FRANK MORRIS]: The full senate is expected to debate the measure

Saturday. From the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: A westside Topeka polling place that usually has a high voter turnout, today has had less than 20 percent of its precinct's registered voters cast a ballot in today's presidential preference primary. The major networks are conducting exit polling at this site. The exit pollster says, "none of the above" is doing very well compared to the regular field of candidates. Voter Lynn Barr. [LYNN BARR]: Somebody's going to have to start saying something that's going to make sense about what they're going to do for the middle income families that have children and everything at home, and say, "We're going to do something to alleviate having women have to go out to work," and have to eliminate some of the problems that are going on out here in the country. [TAMA WAGNER]: Barr voted for "none of the above." Secretary of state Bill Graves has revised his earlier prediction on voter turnout downward. The polls will be open until 7 o'clock this evening, and political analysts believe President Bush and Democratic frontrunner Bill Clinton will win the Kansas presidential preference primary. In Topeka, I'm

Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Finney stepped into a voting booth at the Shawnee County election office and stepped out without declaring support for any of the 17 candidates on the Democratic ballot. The governor says it's too early in this political game for her to choose a side. [JOAN FINNEY]: I believe that it can be an advantage to go to the convention and then, if there should develop a deadlock at the convention, you're in a position to move. I think we have some good candidates and I may end up voting, supporting them, but at this time, it's "none of the above." [TAMA WAGNER]: Finney says her "none of the above" vote will send a message to the candidates. Secretary of state Bill Graves believes as many as 36,000 other Kansas voters could follow the governor's lead, and voice their frustration with the field of candidates. As for the $1.5 million primary, Graves is predicting 37 percent of the state's registered voters will cast ballots in the presidential preference primary. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. *****

[TAMA WAGNER]: Republican leadership in the senate today offered up a so-called "grand compromise" on school finance, but house Democrats backed away from the bargaining table. Democratic leaders say the upper chamber is trying desperately to avoid making a decision on the volatile school finance issue this session. Republican senators are proposing, instead, a stop-gap measure that would delay restructuring the way Kansas pays for education for another year. Democrats labeled the offering, "political posturing." They say the Republicans do not want to support a bill created by house Democrats during an election year. Republican senators contend more study needs to be done before adopting a radical change in school funding. School finance has been this session's major issue, because a Shawnee County district court judge has encouraged lawmakers to come up with a better way to provide each child in Kansas with an equal shot at education. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. *****

[TAMA WAGNER]: The latest school finance plan is actually a warmed-over version of the current funding method -- but, it would be law for just one year. During that year, a proposed "blue-ribbon, bipartisan commission" would be charged with crafting the real funding plan. Critics like Robin Nickel with the Wichita Public Schools says this plan will not buy off the threat of a lawsuit from schools that believe the current formula is unconstitutional. [ROBIN NICKEL]: I'm not sure what would be accomplished by this except to buy another year of time for some school districts that are very uncomfortable with having to share money with children in the rest of the state. [TAMA WAGNER]: Nickel says what this plan really does is allow the senate to escape the difficult decision on school funding until the 1992 elections are over. But supporters say it will buy more time to study and come up with a solid plan. A Shawnee County district court judge has given the legislature this session to come up with a more equitable way to pay for education. The session is this week. A June trial date has been set to challenge the current funding formula. At the statehouse,

I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Kansas senator Joe Harder believes it'll take a miracle to find a school funding formula that a majority of senators can support, and if anyone should know, it's Harder. The Moundridge Republican helped create the current formula some 20 years ago, and today he continues to chair the senate Education Committee. Harder says over the break he'll seek advice from national experts in an attempt to find the magic solution to the problem. The senate has rejected both the house-passed school finance plan and a warmed-over version of the current formula. Senate president Bud Burke says the problem is there's little room for maneuvering in the senate on school finance. [BUD BURKE]: Our dilemma is that we've got about six, at a minimum, people who don't want anything to pass, and they're on both sides of the aisle. [TAMA WAGNER]: Other senators refuse to endorse anything with a tax increase. Also awaiting action when lawmakers return at the end of the month -- reapportionment. The 1992

session resumes on April 29. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [FRANK MORRIS]: Anti-abortion forces have turned up the heat on a bill that imposes new restrictions on abortions, but ensures the right of a woman to obtain the procedure if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Lawmakers on both sides of the issue are backing the compromise legislation. Most anti-abortion lobbies are urging their members to work against the measure. The Pro-Life Mailbox has this message. [RECORDED MESSAGE]: This is an evil bill. It's a compromise with the spiritual forces of darkness that would seek to kill children. We must stop it. Joan Finney must veto it. Our pro-life, pro-family legislators must wake up and get away from it. [FRANK MORRIS]: Several anti-abortion representatives are urging Finney to sign the bill, which includes restrictions on minors and late-term abortions. Abortion rights groups, long opposed to restrictions in this legislation, have been divided and largely silent on the measure. Representatives of the governor say she will take the full ten day consideration period before making a decision on the bill. From the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. *****

[TAMA WAGNER]: It should not come as a surprise to legislators. As promised, Joan Finney will veto a bill aimed at tightening legislative oversight of the KPERS board. Finney objects because the bill also limits her authority. Currently the governor appoints all KPERS board members, but under the bill, the legislature and public employees would take over some of that responsibility. Finney believes she's appointed a quality board, and says the proposed change is not needed. [JOAN FINNEY]: And I'm preparing a veto message. [TAMA WAGNER]: But legislative leaders ague that having just one person in control got the fund into trouble in the first place. Today the public pension fund has lost more than $200 million on soured high-risk investments, and some critics say the loss was, at least in part, the result of poor oversight. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: The legislature is on a two week hiatus, but it may not be much of a vacation for some Kansas senators. Dozens of school districts and the Kansas National Education Association are gearing up telephone trees

to call members of the senate who have rejected numerous plans to pay for public education. KNEA spokesperson Kay Coles. [KAY COLES]: I think they're going to hear from a number of angry educators and businesspeople and parents. From the conversations I've had the last couple of days, people are very upset that the senate was unable to effectively deal with this issue. [TAMA WAGNER]: There is an urgency to the school finance debate this session. You'll recall a Shawnee County district court judge has encouraged the legislature to come up with a way to ensure that all Kansas children have an equal shot at education. Some 40 school districts are challenging the current funding method. A June trial date has been set. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [FEMALE SPEAKER]: This is Sherri at the Kansas Department of Revenue. I'm calling in reference to your balance due with our department. You're owing in back taxes on your sales tax account. Is there some way we can get this taken care of today? [TAMA WAGNER]: Delinquent taxpayers in Kansas can expect more phone calls from collectors like Sherri in the future. The department says phone calls are

harder to ignore than the standard form letter. In addition, some 40,000 delinquent business owners will soon receive consolidated bills, like that of a major credit card. Director of Collections, Brett Robinson. [BRETT ROBINSON]: It's going to keep coming, you can't just ignore it, because it will be in the mail the next month, with the increased penalty and interest showing on it. [TAMA WAGNER]: The interest rate on past-due accounts with the state is 18 percent. Robinson believes the consolidated bills will coordinate all state taxing departments, and will allow for more efficiency and increased collections. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. [FRANK MORRIS]: The governor had asked Stephan to issue a decision as to whether or not aspects of the abortion measure were too different to legally be contained in one bill. The legislation both regulates abortion and prohibits anti-abortion protestors from buying entrance to clinics. Stephan says the bill's two components fall under the umbrella of health care. [ROB STEPHAN]: I think it's very important that people have

access to any healthcare facility when it's constitutionally proper. And like it or not, Roe v. Wade is the law of the land. [FRANK MORRIS]: Stephan says all in all, he supports the legislation. Governor Finney has until the end of next week to sign, veto, or let the abortion bill slip into law. From the statehouse, I'm Frank Morris. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: The high court has advised the US Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals to reexamine its earlier ruling that Topeka schools still do not comply with the 1954 Brown desegregation ruling. Parents of 17 children reopened the case in 1979. Topeka attorney Rich Jones represents the families in the renewed legal action. [RICH JONES]: There were still many schools that were disproportionately one race, and it directly stemmed from the unconstitutional segregation that the school district had implemented back in the '50s. Jones says those unconstitutional conditions

still exist. The supreme court has advised the lower court to reexamine its ruling in light of an earlier decision. In a Georgia case, the justices determined racial imbalances resulting from white flight or other factors not caused by school officials are not necessarily unconstitutional. Gary Sebelius, the lead attorney for the Topeka district believes the action indicates the supreme court may disagree with the lower court's judgment on desegregation. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner. ***** [TAMA WAGNER]: Finney has until tomorrow to take action on the bill. She has three options. She can sign it, veto it, or allow the measure to become law without her signature. During the statehouse meeting, some members of the anti abortion community encouraged the governor to veto the bill. But Kevin Yowell with Kansans for Life says either way, the governor will have their support. [KEVIN YOWELL]: And if she signs this bill, I'm sure she'll provide an explanation. We'll wait and see what that explanation is. But there's no question in our mind that she will do it from the best of

motives as the most pro-life governor in this country. [TAMA WAGNER]: But Right to Life spokesperson Elmer Feldkamp takes a more hardline approach, and says Finney's sincerity would be questioned if she allows this measure to become law. This bill has split advocates on both sides of the issue because it's billed as a compromise. It does contain some restrictions on abortion. Finney will meet with supporters today. At the statehouse, I'm Tama Wagner.