HOLTON, Kan. (AP) — A man whose case has divided his small northeast Kansas town has struck a plea deal with prosecutors that will likely put him in prison for 10 years.

Jacob C. Ewing, 26, of Holton pleaded guilty Friday in Jackson County District Court to two counts of aggravated sexual battery.

Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller said in a news release that both sides agreed to 10 years incarceration on one count and two years, eight months on the other, with both running at the same time.

Ewing was initially sentenced to more than 27 years in prison following his 2017 convictions for raping and sodomizing one woman in 2016 and raping and committing two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy against another woman in 2014.

But the Kansas Court of Appeals threw out those convictions in 2019 and ordered a new trial, citing errors by the prosecutor and court.

Ewing argued in his appeal that special prosecutor Jacqie Spradling misstated evidence in her closing arguments that inflamed the “passions of the jury.” His appeal also contended the court made other errors in allowing certain trial evidence.

Ewing is already in prison serving time in two other cases after pleading guilty to attempted rape and sexual exploitation of a child in 2017, Miller said.

He will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life once he is released from prison.

The allegations against Ewing, a former state football champion and member of a well-known local family, divided Holton, a town of about 3,300 residents.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580156378749.png" alt="Jacob Ewing photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Jacob Ewing photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>HOLTON, Kan. (AP) — A man whose case has divided his small northeast Kansas town has struck a plea deal with prosecutors that will likely put him in prison for 10 years.Jacob C. Ewing, 26, of Holton pleaded guilty Friday in Jackson County District Court to two counts of aggravated sexual battery.Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller said in a news release that both sides agreed to 10 years incarceration on one count and two years, eight months on the other, with both running at the same time.Sentencing is scheduled for June 18.Ewing was initially sentenced to more than 27 years in prison following his 2017 convictions for raping and sodomizing one woman in 2016 and raping and committing two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy against another woman in 2014.But the Kansas Court of Appeals threw out those convictions in 2019 and ordered a new trial, citing errors by the prosecutor and court.Ewing argued in his appeal that special prosecutor Jacqie Spradling misstated evidence in her closing arguments that inflamed the “passions of the jury.” His appeal also contended the court made other errors in allowing certain trial evidence.Ewing is already in prison serving time in two other cases after pleading guilty to attempted rape and sexual exploitation of a child in 2017, Miller said.He will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life once he is released from prison.The allegations against Ewing, a former state football champion and member of a well-known local family, divided Holton, a town of about 3,300 residents.

Kansas man in prison for sex crimes enters plea deal 

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after an investigation.

On May 6, numerous police agencies conducted a search warrant in a home in the 900 block of NE Michigan Avenue in Topeka, according to Topeka Police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

Investigators recovered dozens of stolen items, guns and drugs inside the home. The recovered items had previously been reported stolen from Atchison and Jackson counties.

As a result of the investigation, police arrested Lindsey L. Wabaunsee, 34 of Topeka, and booked her into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges that include Possession of stimulant, Possession of marijuana, Criminal use of weapons, Defacing identification marks on a firearm, Use/Possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body and Theft.

The Atchison County Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation, according to Spiker.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612473377346.png" alt="Wabaunsee-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Wabaunsee-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after an investigation.On May 6, numerous police agencies conducted a search warrant in a home in the 900 block of NE Michigan Avenue in Topeka, according to Topeka Police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.Investigators recovered dozens of stolen items, guns and drugs inside the home. The recovered items had previously been reported stolen from Atchison and Jackson counties.As a result of the investigation, police arrested Lindsey L. Wabaunsee, 34 of Topeka, and booked her into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges that include Possession of stimulant, Possession of marijuana, Criminal use of weapons, Defacing identification marks on a firearm, Use/Possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body and Theft.The Atchison County Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation, according to Spiker.

Police arrest Kansas woman, recover stolen guns

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature backed off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-coronavirus-health-ab10c923b1c35ec9ccc9b8a0536a2ee6">its effort</a>&nbsp;to remove Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly from final decisions on how federal coronavirus relief funds are spent.

Budget legislation approved Friday includes a provision that gives top lawmakers more say but still allows Kelly to veto their proposals. Kansas expects to receive $4.8 billion from the last federal coronavirus relief package.

Kelly appointed a task force last year to recommend how relief funds should be spent, with the State Finance Council making final decisions. It is the governor and eight top lawmakers, six of them currently Republicans.

Kelly calls council meetings, sets the agenda and can veto what it approves. Top Republicans became frustrated with her.

Legislators last month approved a measure to leave final spending decisions to a different, Republican-dominated group of only legislative leaders. Kelly vetoed that plan, and the House overrode her action Monday in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210503143111_400885/" target="_blank">an 86-38 party-line vote.</a>

But as GOP negotiated with Kelly on other issues this week, they crafted a compromise and dropped into budget legislation.

The Finance Council would make final decisions about how federal relief funds, but a task force with four of seven members appointed by top lawmakers would have to approve spending first.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature backed off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-coronavirus-health-ab10c923b1c35ec9ccc9b8a0536a2ee6">its effort</a>&nbsp;to remove Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly from final decisions on how federal coronavirus relief funds are spent.Budget legislation approved Friday includes a provision that gives top lawmakers more say but still allows Kelly to veto their proposals. Kansas expects to receive $4.8 billion from the last federal coronavirus relief package.Kelly appointed a task force last year to recommend how relief funds should be spent, with the State Finance Council making final decisions. It is the governor and eight top lawmakers, six of them currently Republicans.Kelly calls council meetings, sets the agenda and can veto what it approves. Top Republicans became frustrated with her.Legislators last month approved a measure to leave final spending decisions to a different, Republican-dominated group of only legislative leaders. Kelly vetoed that plan, and the House overrode her action Monday in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210503143111_400885/" target="_blank">an 86-38 party-line vote.</a>But as GOP negotiated with Kelly on other issues this week, they crafted a compromise and dropped into budget legislation.The Finance Council would make final decisions about how federal relief funds, but a task force with four of seven members appointed by top lawmakers would have to approve spending first.

New plan keeps Kan. governor in decisions on COVID fund spending

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Sedgwick County Sheriff's deputy who died in the line of duty in 1927 will have a headstone installed on his grave this weekend. 

The sheriff's office will dedicate the tombstone for Deputy Benjamin Franklin Hill on Sunday at Highland Cemetery. 

Hill was killed on Aug. 16, 1927, during an attempted jailbreak at the county courthouse. He is the only Black deputy in Sedgwick County who has been killed in the line of duty. Hill was taking lunch to a cell when he was confronted by three inmates, who demanded his keys. He was shot when he refused to give the inmates his keys.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620325131904.png" alt="Deputy Franklin Hill photo courtesy Sedgwick County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Deputy Franklin Hill photo courtesy Sedgwick County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Sedgwick County Sheriff's deputy who died in the line of duty in 1927 will have a headstone installed on his grave this weekend. The sheriff's office will dedicate the tombstone for Deputy Benjamin Franklin Hill on Sunday at Highland Cemetery. Hill was killed on Aug. 16, 1927, during an attempted jailbreak at the county courthouse. He is the only Black deputy in Sedgwick County who has been killed in the line of duty. Hill was taking lunch to a cell when he was confronted by three inmates, who demanded his keys. He was shot when he refused to give the inmates his keys.

Kan. deputy killed on duty in 1927 gets tombstone

LEAWOOD, Kan. (AP) — An artificial intelligence company based in the Kansas City suburb of Leawood, Kansas, plans to add nearly 500 new high-paying jobs to the region over the next five years.

Torch.AI’s expansion was announced Friday. The company provides high-speed processing of large amounts of data.

Torch.AI says it will add more than 100 new jobs in 2021, with an average annual salary of more than $100,000.

The company’s founder and CEO, Brian Weaver, said in a statement that the expansion agreement “represents our commitment to harness the wealth of experience and skillsets in the Kansas City region and develop new talent to expand our capabilities and customer impact.”

LEAWOOD, Kan. (AP) — An artificial intelligence company based in the Kansas City suburb of Leawood, Kansas, plans to add nearly 500 new high-paying jobs to the region over the next five years.Torch.AI’s expansion was announced Friday. The company provides high-speed processing of large amounts of data.Torch.AI says it will add more than 100 new jobs in 2021, with an average annual salary of more than $100,000.The company’s founder and CEO, Brian Weaver, said in a statement that the expansion agreement “represents our commitment to harness the wealth of experience and skillsets in the Kansas City region and develop new talent to expand our capabilities and customer impact.”

Artificial intelligence company to add 500 new jobs in Kansas 

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man who worked security at a QuikTrip store in Wichita has died, two days after being shot. Will Robinson was shot Wednesday night at the downtown store. Wichita Police say he died Friday. He was 39. A suspect Laroy West in custody in the shooting. Police say he has a long criminal record. 

Robinson had worked as a security guard at QuikTrip for about a year. Before that he was a Wichita police officer. He was a married father of two children. QuikTrip, in a statement, said it is “absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the tragic loss of Will.”

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a shooting that critically injured a convenience store security guard have arrested 41-year-old Laroy West of Wichita.

Just after 10p.m. Wednesday police responded to report of a shooting near a convenience store at Broadway and Murdoch in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

At the scene, officers located a 39-year-old man identified as the Quick Trip security guard in the alley across from the business with a gunshot wound to his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition on Friday, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

The security guard encountered a man who was causing a disruption inside the store.&nbsp; He escorted the man from the store and ultimately to the edge of the property where the disturbance continued and the suspect shot the security guard.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There is no indication, the security guard brandished any weapons, according to Stephens.&nbsp; Due to his condition, the victim is unable to provide a statement

On Thursday evening, a Wichita Police Lieutenant was doing follow-up on the investigation and observed West in the area of 19th and Broadway.  West was contacted and arrested without incident.&nbsp;

He is being <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20070639">held on requested charges</a> of attempted 1st-degree murder and criminal possession of a firearm, according to Davidson.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting involving a convenience store security guard.

At the scene, officers located a 39-year-old man in the alley across from the business with a gunshot wound to his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition, according to Stephens.

Investigators have learned the victim was an armed security guard employed by Quick Trip. The victim encountered a man who was causing a disruption inside the store.&nbsp; He escorted the man from the store and ultimately to the edge of the property where the disturbance continued and the suspect shot the security guard.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620334492831.png" alt="Security camera image of shooting suspect -Wichita PD" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image of shooting suspect -Wichita PD</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man who worked security at a QuikTrip store in Wichita has died, two days after being shot. Will Robinson was shot Wednesday night at the downtown store. Wichita Police say he died Friday. He was 39. A suspect Laroy West in custody in the shooting. Police say he has a long criminal record. Robinson had worked as a security guard at QuikTrip for about a year. Before that he was a Wichita police officer. He was a married father of two children. QuikTrip, in a statement, said it is “absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the tragic loss of Will.”--------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a shooting that critically injured a convenience store security guard have arrested 41-year-old Laroy West of Wichita.Just after 10p.m. Wednesday police responded to report of a shooting near a convenience store at Broadway and Murdoch in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620393217853.png" alt="Laroy West has multiple previous felony convictions, according to police -Photo Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Laroy West has multiple previous felony convictions, according to police -Photo Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>At the scene, officers located a 39-year-old man identified as the Quick Trip security guard in the alley across from the business with a gunshot wound to his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition on Friday, according to Officer Charley Davidson.The security guard encountered a man who was causing a disruption inside the store.&nbsp; He escorted the man from the store and ultimately to the edge of the property where the disturbance continued and the suspect shot the security guard.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is no indication, the security guard brandished any weapons, according to Stephens.&nbsp; Due to his condition, the victim is unable to provide a statementOn Thursday evening, a Wichita Police Lieutenant was doing follow-up on the investigation and observed West in the area of 19th and Broadway. West was contacted and arrested without incident.&nbsp;He is being <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20070639">held on requested charges</a> of attempted 1st-degree murder and criminal possession of a firearm, according to Davidson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620334524153.png" alt="Security camera image of the shooting suspect -photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image of the shooting suspect -photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.&nbsp;&nbsp;---------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting involving a convenience store security guard.Just after 10p.m. Wednesday police responded to report of a shooting near a convenience store at Broadway and Murdoch in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.At the scene, officers located a 39-year-old man in the alley across from the business with a gunshot wound to his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition, according to Stephens.Investigators have learned the victim was an armed security guard employed by Quick Trip. The victim encountered a man who was causing a disruption inside the store.&nbsp; He escorted the man from the store and ultimately to the edge of the property where the disturbance continued and the suspect shot the security guard.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is no indication, the security guard brandished any weapons, according to Stephens.&nbsp; Due to his condition, the victim is unable to provide a statement

Kansas store security guard dies, days after being shot

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans pushed a plan through the Kansas Legislature early Saturday that could provide roughly $500 million to small businesses to offset losses tied to state and local restrictions meant to check COVID-19′s spread last year.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_sb273_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">The measure</a>&nbsp;would require the state, cities and counties to set aside part of their federal coronavirus relief funds to pay claims from small businesses. It was the last bill lawmakers considered before shutting down their annual session except for a formal adjournment May 26.

The Republican-controlled Legislature approved a bipartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ks-state-wire-kansas-business-education-health-ed116e5adac94ebffb2eebcda8d7c744">public school funding bill</a>&nbsp;and finished a $21 billion state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The budget also included provisions to prevent the state from issuing COVID-19 vaccine passports and to restrict efforts to track down close contacts of people with the virus.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly signaled that she plans to sign the education bill, and she’s expected to approve most to all of the budget’s items. But she has not said what she’ll do with the business-compensation bill.

Supporters said creating a system for considering and paying claims could avoid a larger total payout from potential lawsuits over COVID-19 restrictions, but doing so would help small businesses that cannot afford to hire attorneys to sue state or local officials. Businesses with 50 or fewer employees could file claims instead of suing.

“This process is perfect for them,” said Ryan Kriegshauser, an attorney for a Wichita fitness studio and its owner, who sued the state in December. “That’s really what it’s for, is the mom and pop shops that got shut down, because a lot of the big box retailers, they were operating.”

The votes on the bill were&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210508011541_382342/" target="_blank">68-42</a>&nbsp;in the House and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210508021027_936399/" target="_blank">24-14</a>&nbsp;in the Senate, demonstrating that at least a few Republicans in each chamber had misgivings and Democrats in both were overwhelmingly opposed.

The Wichita fitness studio and state Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican now running for governor, agreed to put the fitness studio’s lawsuit on hold to give the Legislature a chance to provide compensation. GOP lawmakers considered compensation figures as high as $2 billion; the Senate passed a plan this week for $700 million, while the House hadn’t debated any plan before Saturday.

But House Judiciary Chair Fred Patton, a Topeka Republican, said: “It’s going to be good for businesses, to avoid litigation.”

Kelly imposed a stay-at-home order for five weeks last spring and then started a phased reopening of the the economy before Republican lawmakers intervened and gave local officials control over restrictions. Many GOP legislators believe the restrictions on businesses were too onerous and unnecessary.

Democrats suggested that lawmakers weren’t doing enough to ensure that businesses receiving compensation used some of the money to help their workers. Others opposed forcing cities and counties to set aside coronavirus relief funds for the compensation and questioned whether the state has the authority to do it.

And some were upset that an appointed, three-member board would review claims — in meetings closed to the public to protect businesses’ financial information.

“Really, this could be back-door deals,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat. “I have some serious concerns that we don’t have enough transparency.”

While the appointed board would examine claims, its decisions would be reviewed by a joint legislative committee, and legislative leaders would have the final say.

Kelly and GOP lawmakers have battled over who will have final control over how the state allocates $4.8 billion from the last coronavirus relief package. They ultimately settled on giving the governor both a role and veto power in final decisions but gave lawmakers control of the board that would have to approve all spending plans first.

Meanwhile, conservatives pushing for a ban on vaccine passports and limits on contact tracing had to settle for the provisions in budget legislation that would be in effect for a little more than a year. The votes on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_sb159_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">the budget measure</a>&nbsp;were&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210507155046_155877/" target="_blank">98-21</a>&nbsp;in the House and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210507200432_782934/" target="_blank">26-12</a>&nbsp;in the Senate.

Vaccine passports arose as an issue even though Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-immunizations-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-cd39b5c5b7829f016b3f0ca8bbfd9e30">said last month</a>&nbsp;that none would be issued by her administration. The provision included in budget legislation would prevent any state agency from spending any funds on issuing passports, requiring people to use them or denying people without them access “to a place accessible to the general public.”

But the ban wouldn’t apply to cities and counties and would expire in a little more than a year.

The Legislature enacted limits on COVID-19 contract tracing last year at Schmidt’s urging, preventing people with the virus from being forced to disclose close contacts. He saw them as a way&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-derek-schmidt-abfa3c6b1634a5b670a6943e9a3f37aa">to protect people’s privacy,</a>&nbsp;but those rules expired Saturday.

A budget provision would allow the state Department of Health and Environment to spend money on tracing only if participation was voluntary and the tracing did not use cellphone location data.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans pushed a plan through the Kansas Legislature early Saturday that could provide roughly $500 million to small businesses to offset losses tied to state and local restrictions meant to check COVID-19′s spread last year.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_sb273_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">The measure</a>&nbsp;would require the state, cities and counties to set aside part of their federal coronavirus relief funds to pay claims from small businesses. It was the last bill lawmakers considered before shutting down their annual session except for a formal adjournment May 26.The Republican-controlled Legislature approved a bipartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ks-state-wire-kansas-business-education-health-ed116e5adac94ebffb2eebcda8d7c744">public school funding bill</a>&nbsp;and finished a $21 billion state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The budget also included provisions to prevent the state from issuing COVID-19 vaccine passports and to restrict efforts to track down close contacts of people with the virus.Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly signaled that she plans to sign the education bill, and she’s expected to approve most to all of the budget’s items. But she has not said what she’ll do with the business-compensation bill.Supporters said creating a system for considering and paying claims could avoid a larger total payout from potential lawsuits over COVID-19 restrictions, but doing so would help small businesses that cannot afford to hire attorneys to sue state or local officials. Businesses with 50 or fewer employees could file claims instead of suing.“This process is perfect for them,” said Ryan Kriegshauser, an attorney for a Wichita fitness studio and its owner, who sued the state in December. “That’s really what it’s for, is the mom and pop shops that got shut down, because a lot of the big box retailers, they were operating.”The votes on the bill were&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210508011541_382342/" target="_blank">68-42</a>&nbsp;in the House and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210508021027_936399/" target="_blank">24-14</a>&nbsp;in the Senate, demonstrating that at least a few Republicans in each chamber had misgivings and Democrats in both were overwhelmingly opposed.The Wichita fitness studio and state Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican now running for governor, agreed to put the fitness studio’s lawsuit on hold to give the Legislature a chance to provide compensation. GOP lawmakers considered compensation figures as high as $2 billion; the Senate passed a plan this week for $700 million, while the House hadn’t debated any plan before Saturday.But House Judiciary Chair Fred Patton, a Topeka Republican, said: “It’s going to be good for businesses, to avoid litigation.”Kelly imposed a stay-at-home order for five weeks last spring and then started a phased reopening of the the economy before Republican lawmakers intervened and gave local officials control over restrictions. Many GOP legislators believe the restrictions on businesses were too onerous and unnecessary.Democrats suggested that lawmakers weren’t doing enough to ensure that businesses receiving compensation used some of the money to help their workers. Others opposed forcing cities and counties to set aside coronavirus relief funds for the compensation and questioned whether the state has the authority to do it.And some were upset that an appointed, three-member board would review claims — in meetings closed to the public to protect businesses’ financial information.“Really, this could be back-door deals,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat. “I have some serious concerns that we don’t have enough transparency.”While the appointed board would examine claims, its decisions would be reviewed by a joint legislative committee, and legislative leaders would have the final say.Kelly and GOP lawmakers have battled over who will have final control over how the state allocates $4.8 billion from the last coronavirus relief package. They ultimately settled on giving the governor both a role and veto power in final decisions but gave lawmakers control of the board that would have to approve all spending plans first.Meanwhile, conservatives pushing for a ban on vaccine passports and limits on contact tracing had to settle for the provisions in budget legislation that would be in effect for a little more than a year. The votes on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_sb159_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">the budget measure</a>&nbsp;were&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210507155046_155877/" target="_blank">98-21</a>&nbsp;in the House and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210507200432_782934/" target="_blank">26-12</a>&nbsp;in the Senate.Vaccine passports arose as an issue even though Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-immunizations-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-cd39b5c5b7829f016b3f0ca8bbfd9e30">said last month</a>&nbsp;that none would be issued by her administration. The provision included in budget legislation would prevent any state agency from spending any funds on issuing passports, requiring people to use them or denying people without them access “to a place accessible to the general public.”But the ban wouldn’t apply to cities and counties and would expire in a little more than a year.The Legislature enacted limits on COVID-19 contract tracing last year at Schmidt’s urging, preventing people with the virus from being forced to disclose close contacts. He saw them as a way&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-derek-schmidt-abfa3c6b1634a5b670a6943e9a3f37aa">to protect people’s privacy,</a>&nbsp;but those rules expired Saturday.A budget provision would allow the state Department of Health and Environment to spend money on tracing only if participation was voluntary and the tracing did not use cellphone location data.

Kansas plan could give $500M in COVID relief to businesses 

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/05/06/prayer-service-at-kansas-statehouse-features-apology-to-american-indians/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Rep. Randy Garber
 delivered an apology to American Indians during a prayer ceremony 
Thursday on the south steps of the Kansas Statehouse, recognizing the 
country’s “long history of official depredations and ill-conceived 
policies.”

The remarks were part of a
 coordinated reading in all 50 states during National Day of Prayer 
ceremonies — inspired in part by former U.S. religious ambassador and 
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback.

Garber, a Republican from 
Sabetha, was flanked by the two American Indian members of the House, 
Rep. Ponka-We Victors, D-Wichita, and Rep. Christina Haswood, 
D-Lawrence.

The apology recognized 
that native people lived here for thousands of years before the arrival 
of Europeans and provided assistance to the fledgling republic. In 
return, they were subjected to armed conflicts in which women and 
children were killed. Covenants were broken, treaties violated, land 
stolen, and tribes displaced.

“Many native peoples 
suffered and perished during the execution of the official federal 
government policy of forced removal, including the infamous trail of 
tears and long walk, during bloody armed confrontations and massacres, 
such as the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864 and the Wounded Knee Massacre in
 1890, and on numerous Indian reservations,” Garber said.

The apology was passed by 
Congress in 2009 and signed into law by President Barack Obama, but 
never presented publicly. Organizers of the prayer service said 
Brownback also met Thursday morning with Negiel Bigpond at an American 
Indian burial area to deliver the apology.

About 100 people attended 
the annual event in Kansas, where lawmakers delivered prayers on behalf 
of their colleagues, educators, the institution of marriage, business, 
doctors, the judicial system, and farmers.

“We know that our 
constitution, both federal and state, are words written by the hand of 
man on a page,” said Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. “But we also
 understand that two and a half centuries ago, it was you who guided 
those hands, who touched those hearts, and who helped to shape on paper 
what you gave you each of us.”

Rep. Bill Rhiley, 
R-Wellington, lamented a changing media landscape in which journalists 
moved away from being “honest watchdogs of government” and instead 
became “purveyors of political slant.” He asked God to clarify the role 
of media owners, executives and reporters.

“Speak and write words of 
truth, serving as a public forum for open discussion of issues and act 
as a public protector of freedom and liberties,” Rhiley said.

Shawnee County Sheriff 
Brian Hill asked God for his protection of first responders who “answer 
the call every day to serve the citizens in their communities.”

“I pray that you give all 
of us wisdom, strength, and courage to step out and do our jobs every 
day,” Hill said. Give us the peace of mind to know that you’re there 
with us and that your son, Jesus Christ, lives among us, and be with us 
as we go about our duties.”

A.J. Johnson, a Topeka 
resident, said in an interview that he attended the service because the 
nation needs to repent. People forget that Revelation has to happen, he 
said.

“The gates of hell shall 
not prevail,” Johnson said. “That doesn’t mean that we’re defending 
ourselves against Hell. Hell is trying to defend itself against us.”

Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature. He spent 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620415502096.png" alt="Rep. Christina Haswood, D-Lawrence, prays Thursday during a service at the Statehouse that included an apology to American Indians. Haswood is one of two Amerian Indians serving in the House. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Christina Haswood, D-Lawrence, prays Thursday during a service at the Statehouse that included an apology to American Indians. Haswood is one of two Amerian Indians serving in the House. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/05/06/prayer-service-at-kansas-statehouse-features-apology-to-american-indians/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Rep. Randy Garber
 delivered an apology to American Indians during a prayer ceremony 
Thursday on the south steps of the Kansas Statehouse, recognizing the 
country’s “long history of official depredations and ill-conceived 
policies.”The remarks were part of a
 coordinated reading in all 50 states during National Day of Prayer 
ceremonies — inspired in part by former U.S. religious ambassador and 
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620415550723.png" alt="Rep. Randy Garber, R-Sabetha, delivers an apology to American Indians. At his side are the two American Indian members of the House, Rep. Christina Haswood, right, and Ponka-We Victors. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Randy Garber, R-Sabetha, delivers an apology to American Indians. At his side are the two American Indian members of the House, Rep. Christina Haswood, right, and Ponka-We Victors. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Garber, a Republican from 
Sabetha, was flanked by the two American Indian members of the House, 
Rep. Ponka-We Victors, D-Wichita, and Rep. Christina Haswood, 
D-Lawrence.The apology recognized 
that native people lived here for thousands of years before the arrival 
of Europeans and provided assistance to the fledgling republic. In 
return, they were subjected to armed conflicts in which women and 
children were killed. Covenants were broken, treaties violated, land 
stolen, and tribes displaced.“Many native peoples 
suffered and perished during the execution of the official federal 
government policy of forced removal, including the infamous trail of 
tears and long walk, during bloody armed confrontations and massacres, 
such as the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864 and the Wounded Knee Massacre in
 1890, and on numerous Indian reservations,” Garber said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620415584383.png" alt="About 100 people attended the annual National Day of Prayer service Thursday at the Kansas Statehouse. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>About 100 people attended the annual National Day of Prayer service Thursday at the Kansas Statehouse. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The apology was passed by 
Congress in 2009 and signed into law by President Barack Obama, but 
never presented publicly. Organizers of the prayer service said 
Brownback also met Thursday morning with Negiel Bigpond at an American 
Indian burial area to deliver the apology.About 100 people attended 
the annual event in Kansas, where lawmakers delivered prayers on behalf 
of their colleagues, educators, the institution of marriage, business, 
doctors, the judicial system, and farmers.“We know that our 
constitution, both federal and state, are words written by the hand of 
man on a page,” said Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. “But we also
 understand that two and a half centuries ago, it was you who guided 
those hands, who touched those hearts, and who helped to shape on paper 
what you gave you each of us.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620415619492.png" alt="Rep. Bill Rhiley asks God to clarify the role of the media for wayward journalists. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Bill Rhiley asks God to clarify the role of the media for wayward journalists. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Rep. Bill Rhiley, 
R-Wellington, lamented a changing media landscape in which journalists 
moved away from being “honest watchdogs of government” and instead 
became “purveyors of political slant.” He asked God to clarify the role 
of media owners, executives and reporters.“Speak and write words of 
truth, serving as a public forum for open discussion of issues and act 
as a public protector of freedom and liberties,” Rhiley said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620415649630.png" alt="Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill delivers a prayer for first responders. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill delivers a prayer for first responders. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Shawnee County Sheriff 
Brian Hill asked God for his protection of first responders who “answer 
the call every day to serve the citizens in their communities.”“I pray that you give all 
of us wisdom, strength, and courage to step out and do our jobs every 
day,” Hill said. Give us the peace of mind to know that you’re there 
with us and that your son, Jesus Christ, lives among us, and be with us 
as we go about our duties.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620415678748.png" alt="A.J. Johnson, of Topeka, says people forget that Revelation has to happen. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>A.J. Johnson, of Topeka, says people forget that Revelation has to happen. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>A.J. Johnson, a Topeka 
resident, said in an interview that he attended the service because the 
nation needs to repent. People forget that Revelation has to happen, he 
said.“The gates of hell shall 
not prevail,” Johnson said. “That doesn’t mean that we’re defending 
ourselves against Hell. Hell is trying to defend itself against us.”Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature. He spent 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal.

Prayer service at Kan. Statehouse features apology to American Indians

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators on Friday easily approved a bipartisan measure boosting education spending to what was touted as full funding for public schools while also making more students eligible for private school scholarships.

The Republican-controlled Senate approved the measure,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210507165817_278575/" target="_blank">35-4,</a>&nbsp;and the GOP-controlled House passed it,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210507185219_021990/" target="_blank">107-9,</a>&nbsp;sending the package of dollars and policy changes to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Almost all of the no votes came from conservative Republicans.

The governor signaled that she would sign&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2134_01_k12ed.pdf" target="_blank">the bill</a>&nbsp;by publicly taking credit for it. Kelly, facing a potentially difficult 2022 reelection race, said she had “delivered on education, and did right by our kids.” The bill would increase aid to the state’s 286 school districts by 5.3%, to $5.2 billion.

“As we continue to recover from the global pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we support Kansas students by giving them every opportunity to thrive and succeed,” Kelly said in a statement.

The education bill helped complete a spending blueprint for state government of about $21 billion for the budget year beginning July 1. Legislative were pushing to have lawmakers wrap up their business for the year by early Saturday.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_sb159_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">A second bill</a>&nbsp;contained dozens of spending items across state government. The House approved it,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210507155046_155877/" target="_blank">98-21,</a>&nbsp;and the Senate passed it,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210507200432_782934/" target="_blank">26-12,</a>&nbsp;sending it to Kelly.

In the education bill, conservatives did get a key “school choice” initiative into the package. However, they dropped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-education-kansas-topeka-c83a8d06af93e64f5647b0b9e53bed66">a more ambitious proposal</a>&nbsp;to use state dollars to create education savings accounts that the parents of struggling public school students could use to pay for private schooling.

“Everybody feels like they lost a little something and gained a little something,” Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, told reporters.

Masterson and House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., an Olathe Republican, bargained with Kelly on Thursday as three senators and three House members drafted the final version of the education bill.

The bill had strong support among Democrats because it contained education groups’ top priority, the K-12 funding increase.

“We’re happy tonight,” said Rep. Valdenia Winn, a Kansas City Democrat, who has frequently criticized Republicans’ work on education issues.

The bill included Kelly’s proposal for an increase in state aid to local schools of $263 million, in line with a law enacted in 2019 to resolve&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/16d63062f0a645f6a9231e22b623e9fb">a 2010 lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the state filed by four school districts. That lawsuit remains before the Kansas Supreme Court, and Democrats believe failing to provide as much money as Kelly recommended will prompt the justices to intervene.

“Obviously, we don’t want to get full funding with a lot of other unacceptable things, but this plan is a pretty substantial compromise,” said Mark Tallman, a lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards.

The measure would modify a program that gives a state income tax credit for donations to funds that give private school scholarships to students in the 100 lowest-performing public elementary schools.

The total tax credits would remain capped at $10 million a year, but any elementary or middle school student who receives free or reduced-cost lunches would be eligible for scholarships. The tax-credit cap has never been reached.

Republicans&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210408153110_690539/" target="_blank">pushed a bill through the House</a>&nbsp;last month that tied Kelly’s proposed spending to conservatives’ proposal for education savings accounts. Democrats and education groups argued that education savings accounts would siphon tens of millions of dollars from public schools, and the measure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-kansas-topeka-bills-a4887df7480ee8479cc2282b16c29c9a">failed in the Senate</a>&nbsp;on a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210409132538_694551/" target="_blank">20-20 vote.</a>

Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican and the chair of a House committee on education spending, said the scholarship expansion is a “great” step forward and the debate over the more ambitious savings-account plan “made huge strides in identifying what would be best for our kids.”

“Providing an opportunity for kids that are at-risk is still high on our to-do list,” Williams said.

The bill would make a raft of policy changes, including new restrictions on local school districts’ use of the remote learning that became common during the coronavirus pandemic.

The other budget legislation included an additional $53 million for higher education. Kelly’s budget director has said the extra money is necessary under a federal requirement to maintain “historic funding” for Kansas to get its full share of federal coronavirus relief funds.

The measure had an additional $17 million to increase pay for state court employees, including judges, and hire 70 new court services officers. It also authorized $120 million in bonds to renovate a 1950s state office building near the Statehouse and another $65 million in bonds to build a new state Department of Health and Environment lab in the Topeka area.

House and Senate budget negotiators didn’t include a pay raise for all state employees. Senators argued that taxpayers would be angry after thousands of people lost their jobs and businesses closed during the pandemic.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators on Friday easily approved a bipartisan measure boosting education spending to what was touted as full funding for public schools while also making more students eligible for private school scholarships.The Republican-controlled Senate approved the measure,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210507165817_278575/" target="_blank">35-4,</a>&nbsp;and the GOP-controlled House passed it,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210507185219_021990/" target="_blank">107-9,</a>&nbsp;sending the package of dollars and policy changes to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Almost all of the no votes came from conservative Republicans.The governor signaled that she would sign&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2134_01_k12ed.pdf" target="_blank">the bill</a>&nbsp;by publicly taking credit for it. Kelly, facing a potentially difficult 2022 reelection race, said she had “delivered on education, and did right by our kids.” The bill would increase aid to the state’s 286 school districts by 5.3%, to $5.2 billion.“As we continue to recover from the global pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we support Kansas students by giving them every opportunity to thrive and succeed,” Kelly said in a statement.The education bill helped complete a spending blueprint for state government of about $21 billion for the budget year beginning July 1. Legislative were pushing to have lawmakers wrap up their business for the year by early Saturday.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_sb159_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">A second bill</a>&nbsp;contained dozens of spending items across state government. The House approved it,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210507155046_155877/" target="_blank">98-21,</a>&nbsp;and the Senate passed it,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210507200432_782934/" target="_blank">26-12,</a>&nbsp;sending it to Kelly.In the education bill, conservatives did get a key “school choice” initiative into the package. However, they dropped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-education-kansas-topeka-c83a8d06af93e64f5647b0b9e53bed66">a more ambitious proposal</a>&nbsp;to use state dollars to create education savings accounts that the parents of struggling public school students could use to pay for private schooling.“Everybody feels like they lost a little something and gained a little something,” Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, told reporters.Masterson and House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., an Olathe Republican, bargained with Kelly on Thursday as three senators and three House members drafted the final version of the education bill.The bill had strong support among Democrats because it contained education groups’ top priority, the K-12 funding increase.“We’re happy tonight,” said Rep. Valdenia Winn, a Kansas City Democrat, who has frequently criticized Republicans’ work on education issues.The bill included Kelly’s proposal for an increase in state aid to local schools of $263 million, in line with a law enacted in 2019 to resolve&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/16d63062f0a645f6a9231e22b623e9fb">a 2010 lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the state filed by four school districts. That lawsuit remains before the Kansas Supreme Court, and Democrats believe failing to provide as much money as Kelly recommended will prompt the justices to intervene.“Obviously, we don’t want to get full funding with a lot of other unacceptable things, but this plan is a pretty substantial compromise,” said Mark Tallman, a lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards.The measure would modify a program that gives a state income tax credit for donations to funds that give private school scholarships to students in the 100 lowest-performing public elementary schools.The total tax credits would remain capped at $10 million a year, but any elementary or middle school student who receives free or reduced-cost lunches would be eligible for scholarships. The tax-credit cap has never been reached.Republicans&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210408153110_690539/" target="_blank">pushed a bill through the House</a>&nbsp;last month that tied Kelly’s proposed spending to conservatives’ proposal for education savings accounts. Democrats and education groups argued that education savings accounts would siphon tens of millions of dollars from public schools, and the measure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-kansas-topeka-bills-a4887df7480ee8479cc2282b16c29c9a">failed in the Senate</a>&nbsp;on a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210409132538_694551/" target="_blank">20-20 vote.</a>Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican and the chair of a House committee on education spending, said the scholarship expansion is a “great” step forward and the debate over the more ambitious savings-account plan “made huge strides in identifying what would be best for our kids.”“Providing an opportunity for kids that are at-risk is still high on our to-do list,” Williams said.The bill would make a raft of policy changes, including new restrictions on local school districts’ use of the remote learning that became common during the coronavirus pandemic.The other budget legislation included an additional $53 million for higher education. Kelly’s budget director has said the extra money is necessary under a federal requirement to maintain “historic funding” for Kansas to get its full share of federal coronavirus relief funds.The measure had an additional $17 million to increase pay for state court employees, including judges, and hire 70 new court services officers. It also authorized $120 million in bonds to renovate a 1950s state office building near the Statehouse and another $65 million in bonds to build a new state Department of Health and Environment lab in the Topeka area.House and Senate budget negotiators didn’t include a pay raise for all state employees. Senators argued that taxpayers would be angry after thousands of people lost their jobs and businesses closed during the pandemic.

Kansas lawmakers pass funding hike, school ‘choice’ proposal

HARPER COUNTY&nbsp; – A Kansas teen has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for the attempted second-degree murder of another 18-year-old, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

Brian Sandoval, 18, of Anthony, was sentenced in Harper County District Court by Judge Galen T. Wood to 59 months in prison followed by three years of post-release supervision and to pay $9,390.46 in restitution to the victim.

Sandoval pleaded guilty in March to one count of attempted second-degree murder for stabbing the victim in December 2020.

The case was investigated by the Anthony Police Department. Assistant Attorney General Jessica Domme of Schmidt’s office prosecuted the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620433013492.png" alt="Sandoval photo Harper County" />
 <figcaption>Sandoval photo Harper County</figcaption>
 </figure>HARPER COUNTY&nbsp; – A Kansas teen has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for the attempted second-degree murder of another 18-year-old, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.Brian Sandoval, 18, of Anthony, was sentenced in Harper County District Court by Judge Galen T. Wood to 59 months in prison followed by three years of post-release supervision and to pay $9,390.46 in restitution to the victim.Sandoval pleaded guilty in March to one count of attempted second-degree murder for stabbing the victim in December 2020.The case was investigated by the Anthony Police Department. Assistant Attorney General Jessica Domme of Schmidt’s office prosecuted the case.

Kansas teen will go to prison for violent attack 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—An accidental fire did significant damage to a Kansas home on Friday

Just before 11:00 a.m.,&nbsp; a fire was discovered on the front porch of the residence at 2729 SE Wisconsin Avenue in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Tod Harrison.

 Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and fire on the front of the home. One pet cat was rescued from the interior of the home and one died due to injuries as a result of this fire, according to Harrison. 

The fire was extinguished but not before significant damage was done throughout the attic spaces. All three occupants were able escape unharmed.

Preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Accidental; more likely than not associated with improper disposal of smoking materials. The estimated dollar loss – $103,500.00; of which $78,500.00 is associated with structural loss and $25,000.00 associated with contents loss.&nbsp;Working smoke detectors were present within the home, according to Harrison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620419763519.png" alt="Friday morning fire at a home in Topeka -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Friday morning fire at a home in Topeka -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—An accidental fire did significant damage to a Kansas home on FridayJust before 11:00 a.m.,&nbsp; a fire was discovered on the front porch of the residence at 2729 SE Wisconsin Avenue in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Tod Harrison. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and fire on the front of the home. One pet cat was rescued from the interior of the home and one died due to injuries as a result of this fire, according to Harrison. The fire was extinguished but not before significant damage was done throughout the attic spaces. All three occupants were able escape unharmed.Preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Accidental; more likely than not associated with improper disposal of smoking materials. The estimated dollar loss – $103,500.00; of which $78,500.00 is associated with structural loss and $25,000.00 associated with contents loss.&nbsp;Working smoke detectors were present within the home, according to Harrison.

Fire Marshal: Pet cat dies in Kansas house fire

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A police veteran who spent nearly three decades with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is crossing the state line to lead the department in Kansas City, Kansas.

Wyandotte County Administrator Doug Bach announced Friday that Karl A. Oakman will begin duties next month as the chief in Kansas City, Kansas. He replaces interim Chief Michael York, who has served in that role since the 2019 departure of former Chief Terry Zeigler.

Oakman will oversee a department with about 345 sworn officers and 150 civilian employees.

During his time in Kansas City, Missouri, Oakman developed initiatives focused on inclusion, community policing, youth engagement, recruitment and officer wellness. He has served as deputy chief since 2017 and commands the Patrol Bureau.

“It is a great honor to return home and serve the Kansas City, Kansas community and members of the police department,” Oakman said in a news release. “When the police department and community collaborate, great things can be accomplished.”

Oakman was chosen over three other finalists, including Kansas City, Kansas, Deputy Chief Pamela Waldeck.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620417679050.png" alt="Karl Oakman will oversee a department with about 345 sworn officers and 150 civilian employees-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karl Oakman will oversee a department with about 345 sworn officers and 150 civilian employees-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A police veteran who spent nearly three decades with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is crossing the state line to lead the department in Kansas City, Kansas.Wyandotte County Administrator Doug Bach announced Friday that Karl A. Oakman will begin duties next month as the chief in Kansas City, Kansas. He replaces interim Chief Michael York, who has served in that role since the 2019 departure of former Chief Terry Zeigler.Oakman will oversee a department with about 345 sworn officers and 150 civilian employees.During his time in Kansas City, Missouri, Oakman developed initiatives focused on inclusion, community policing, youth engagement, recruitment and officer wellness. He has served as deputy chief since 2017 and commands the Patrol Bureau.“It is a great honor to return home and serve the Kansas City, Kansas community and members of the police department,” Oakman said in a news release. “When the police department and community collaborate, great things can be accomplished.”Oakman was chosen over three other finalists, including Kansas City, Kansas, Deputy Chief Pamela Waldeck.

New police chief named in Kansas City, Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has requested less than 9% of its federal allocation of COVID-19 vaccine doses for this week, as Republican state lawmakers try to revive proposals to ban government vaccine passports and restore limits on tracing the close contacts of people exposed to the virus.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s office said Thursday that the state asked for fewer than 14,000 vaccine doses for the week, out of a federal allotment of almost 162,000. While the state sought its full allotment of 6,400 doses of a one-shot vaccine made by Johnson &amp; Johnson, it requested only 7,510 doses of its allocation of 155,540 doses of two-shot vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna.

Kansas has seen its vaccination rate slow in recent weeks. It peaked at an average of 29,380 shots a day for the seven days ending April 6 and averaged only 11,872 for the seven days ending Wednesday, according to state Department of Health and Environment data.

Counties have been turning down vaccine doses as demand has waned, and while the department reported that more than 1.95 million shots had been administered as of Wednesday, there still were almost 647,000 more doses available. The health department in Sedgwick County, home to the state’s largest city of Wichita, has reduced the operations of its vaccine clinic by 10 hours a week because of falling demand.

Meanwhile, some Republican senators in the GOP-controlled Legislature were working on a proposal to prohibit state and local government agencies from requiring people to have COVID-19 vaccine passports to enter places accessible to the general public.

Kelly said last month that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-immunizations-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-cd39b5c5b7829f016b3f0ca8bbfd9e30">she has no interest</a>&nbsp;in vaccine passports and that none would be issued under her authority.

But Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Kellie Warren, a Leawood Republican, said lawmakers are hearing from people who want to see a ban imposed.

“This would be protecting-your-privacy concerns,” she said.

With the Legislature hoping to wrap up the year’s business this week, lawmakers would have to slip a proposed ban into an existing piece of legislation when senators and House members write the final version.

House Judiciary Committee Chair Fred Patton, a Topeka Republican, said he’s working on a proposal but said senators showed him language that was “pretty broad.”

“I think it would impact even getting information from your own doctor, and certainly we don’t want that to be the case,” Patton said.

Warren also is working to resurrect limits on tracing contacts in cases where people have been exposed to COVID-19. The Legislature enacted the limits last year at the urging of Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican who is running for governor, who saw them as a way&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-derek-schmidt-abfa3c6b1634a5b670a6943e9a3f37aa">to protect people’s privacy.</a>

However, the limits on tracing expired Saturday, and while the Senate&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210331102410_198369/" target="_blank">approved a bill</a>&nbsp;in March to keep them in place permanently, the House did not take up the measure. The rules prevented people exposed to COVID-19 from being forced to disclose their close contacts and said people couldn’t face criminal charges or civil lawsuits for refusing.

Those limits set COVID-19 apart from other infectious diseases, such as syphilis or hepatitis. Public health groups said the limits hinder contact tracing and decried the different rules for the novel coronavirus. Some Republicans said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-pandemics-public-health-legislature-data-privacy-4d048648462d844a96d89dcc156e02ef">the special treatment was justified</a>&nbsp;because COVID-19 was so widespread and the danger to privacy much greater.

Patton said House members don’t have many concerns about reinstating the special contact tracing rules for COVID-19.

Warren said: “We’ve been hearing from constituents across the state that these are issues they want the Legislature to take up.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609436305532.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly received her first vaccination in December.- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly received her first vaccination in December.- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has requested less than 9% of its federal allocation of COVID-19 vaccine doses for this week, as Republican state lawmakers try to revive proposals to ban government vaccine passports and restore limits on tracing the close contacts of people exposed to the virus.Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s office said Thursday that the state asked for fewer than 14,000 vaccine doses for the week, out of a federal allotment of almost 162,000. While the state sought its full allotment of 6,400 doses of a one-shot vaccine made by Johnson &amp; Johnson, it requested only 7,510 doses of its allocation of 155,540 doses of two-shot vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna.Kansas has seen its vaccination rate slow in recent weeks. It peaked at an average of 29,380 shots a day for the seven days ending April 6 and averaged only 11,872 for the seven days ending Wednesday, according to state Department of Health and Environment data.Counties have been turning down vaccine doses as demand has waned, and while the department reported that more than 1.95 million shots had been administered as of Wednesday, there still were almost 647,000 more doses available. The health department in Sedgwick County, home to the state’s largest city of Wichita, has reduced the operations of its vaccine clinic by 10 hours a week because of falling demand.Meanwhile, some Republican senators in the GOP-controlled Legislature were working on a proposal to prohibit state and local government agencies from requiring people to have COVID-19 vaccine passports to enter places accessible to the general public.Kelly said last month that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-immunizations-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-cd39b5c5b7829f016b3f0ca8bbfd9e30">she has no interest</a>&nbsp;in vaccine passports and that none would be issued under her authority.But Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Kellie Warren, a Leawood Republican, said lawmakers are hearing from people who want to see a ban imposed.“This would be protecting-your-privacy concerns,” she said.With the Legislature hoping to wrap up the year’s business this week, lawmakers would have to slip a proposed ban into an existing piece of legislation when senators and House members write the final version.House Judiciary Committee Chair Fred Patton, a Topeka Republican, said he’s working on a proposal but said senators showed him language that was “pretty broad.”“I think it would impact even getting information from your own doctor, and certainly we don’t want that to be the case,” Patton said.Warren also is working to resurrect limits on tracing contacts in cases where people have been exposed to COVID-19. The Legislature enacted the limits last year at the urging of Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican who is running for governor, who saw them as a way&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-derek-schmidt-abfa3c6b1634a5b670a6943e9a3f37aa">to protect people’s privacy.</a>However, the limits on tracing expired Saturday, and while the Senate&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210331102410_198369/" target="_blank">approved a bill</a>&nbsp;in March to keep them in place permanently, the House did not take up the measure. The rules prevented people exposed to COVID-19 from being forced to disclose their close contacts and said people couldn’t face criminal charges or civil lawsuits for refusing.Those limits set COVID-19 apart from other infectious diseases, such as syphilis or hepatitis. Public health groups said the limits hinder contact tracing and decried the different rules for the novel coronavirus. Some Republicans said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-pandemics-public-health-legislature-data-privacy-4d048648462d844a96d89dcc156e02ef">the special treatment was justified</a>&nbsp;because COVID-19 was so widespread and the danger to privacy much greater.Patton said House members don’t have many concerns about reinstating the special contact tracing rules for COVID-19.Warren said: “We’ve been hearing from constituents across the state that these are issues they want the Legislature to take up.”___

Kan. requested less than 9% of allocated COVID vaccine this week

Washington, D.C.&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. issued the following statement after the release of Friday's dismal Department of Labor (DOL) report showing an uptick in the unemployment rate to 6.1% and employers only adding 266,000 jobs in April. 

Additionally, Senator Marshall announced his plans <a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/GOE21524.pdf">to&nbsp;introduce legislation on Monday</a>&nbsp;when the Senate returns from the work recess to repeal the increase in unemployment benefits brought on by President Biden and the Democrats. Earlier this year, Democrats forced through legislation without any Republican support that provided $300 more in unemployment benefits in turn making it more profitable for many Americans to stay unemployed.

“Throughout my travels across Kansas, I hear constantly how employers are struggling to find people for open jobs because folks are staying at home due to the rich unemployment benefits and the stimulus checks that Democrats continue to enhance. While there are certainly people that needed access to increased unemployment benefits during the heart of this pandemic, we should not be in the business of creating lucrative government dependency that makes it more beneficial to stay unemployed rather than return to work,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.

 “At a time when our nation is on its way to reaching herd immunity and businesses are emerging from government imposed lockdowns, President Biden has delivered them a government imposed labor shortage. For these reasons, I intend to introduce legislation when the Senate returns from recess that repeals these enhanced unemployment benefits and encourages Americans to return to work.”

<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/millions-are-unemployed-why-cant-companies-find-workers-11620302440?mod=hp_lead_pos1" target="_blank">Millions Are Unemployed. Why Can’t Companies Find Workers? (WSJ)</a>&nbsp;…Domino’s Pizza Chief Executive Richard Allison said last week that the labor market right now in the U.S. is creating the most difficult staffing environment the company has seen in a long time. “The real pinch point in the business is drivers,” he said on the company’s earnings conference call… Under relief bills passed by Congress, those receiving jobless benefits get an additional $300 a week on top of regular state benefits, which average $318 a week, according to the Labor Department. That means the average unemployment recipient earns better than the equivalent of working full time at $15 an hour. Those enhanced benefits are available until September, for a maximum of nearly 18 months—about three times longer than most states typically allow.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620409978854.png" alt="Senator Marshall in Seneca for a Town Hall event on May 1." />
 <figcaption>Senator Marshall in Seneca for a Town Hall event on May 1.</figcaption>
 </figure>Washington, D.C.&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. issued the following statement after the release of Friday's dismal Department of Labor (DOL) report showing an uptick in the unemployment rate to 6.1% and employers only adding 266,000 jobs in April. Additionally, Senator Marshall announced his plans <a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/GOE21524.pdf">to&nbsp;introduce legislation on Monday</a>&nbsp;when the Senate returns from the work recess to repeal the increase in unemployment benefits brought on by President Biden and the Democrats. Earlier this year, Democrats forced through legislation without any Republican support that provided $300 more in unemployment benefits in turn making it more profitable for many Americans to stay unemployed.“Throughout my travels across Kansas, I hear constantly how employers are struggling to find people for open jobs because folks are staying at home due to the rich unemployment benefits and the stimulus checks that Democrats continue to enhance. While there are certainly people that needed access to increased unemployment benefits during the heart of this pandemic, we should not be in the business of creating lucrative government dependency that makes it more beneficial to stay unemployed rather than return to work,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall. “At a time when our nation is on its way to reaching herd immunity and businesses are emerging from government imposed lockdowns, President Biden has delivered them a government imposed labor shortage. For these reasons, I intend to introduce legislation when the Senate returns from recess that repeals these enhanced unemployment benefits and encourages Americans to return to work.”Background:<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/millions-are-unemployed-why-cant-companies-find-workers-11620302440?mod=hp_lead_pos1" target="_blank">Millions Are Unemployed. Why Can’t Companies Find Workers? (WSJ)</a>&nbsp;…Domino’s Pizza Chief Executive Richard Allison said last week that the labor market right now in the U.S. is creating the most difficult staffing environment the company has seen in a long time. “The real pinch point in the business is drivers,” he said on the company’s earnings conference call… Under relief bills passed by Congress, those receiving jobless benefits get an additional $300 a week on top of regular state benefits, which average $318 a week, according to the Labor Department. That means the average unemployment recipient earns better than the equivalent of working full time at $15 an hour. Those enhanced benefits are available until September, for a maximum of nearly 18 months—about three times longer than most states typically allow.

Marshall wants an end to $300 increase in unemployment benefits 

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 467 to a total of 310,582, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Total coronavirus deaths were reported at 5016, an increase of 17.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 467 to a total of 310,582, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Total coronavirus deaths were reported at 5016, an increase of 17.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620407303288.png" alt="Friday May 7, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday May 7, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: COVID-19 deaths in Kansas top 5,000

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two Republican leaders said Friday that Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has committed to signing a bipartisan plan that boosts funding for public schools while also making more students eligible for private school scholarships.

Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. bargained with Kelly as negotiators for each chamber drafted the $5.2 billion education funding and policy measure. The two legislative leaders hoped both chambers would pass the measure Friday or early Saturday and clear the way for the GOP-controlled Legislature to wrap up its business for the year.

Conservatives did get a key “school choice” initiative into the package, but they dropped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-education-kansas-topeka-c83a8d06af93e64f5647b0b9e53bed66">a more ambitious proposal</a>&nbsp;to use state dollars to create education savings accounts that the parents of struggling public school students could use to pay for private schooling. The measure includes Kelly’s proposed 5.3% increase in aid for the state’s 286 local public school districts and a raft of other policies, including limits on remote learning that became prevalent during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Everybody feels like they lost a little something and gained a little something,” Masterson, an Andover Republican, told reporters Friday.

Kelly’s office did not immediately comment on the results of her negotiations with Masterson and Ryckman, an Olathe Republican.

But asked whether Kelly had committed to signing the bill, Masterson said, “yes,” and Ryckman, an Olathe Republican, confirmed that in a text to The Associated Press.

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat and one of the education negotiators, said Thursday night that she would support the measure. It contains education groups’ top priority, an increase in education spending they see as fully funding public schools for 2021-22.

Another group of House and Senate negotiators reached agreement late Thursday night on the rest of a $21 billion spending blueprint for state government for the budget year beginning July 1. Legislative leaders hoped both chambers would pass it late Friday or early Saturday.

The budget would include an additional $53 million for higher education. Kelly’s budget director has said the extra money is necessary under a federal requirement to maintain “historic funding” for Kansas to get its full share of federal coronavirus relief funds.

The budget also would include an additional $17 million to increase pay for state court employees, including judges, and hire 70 new court services officers. But budget negotiators didn’t include a pay raise for all state employees, with senators arguing taxpayers would object after thousands of people lost their jobs and businesses closed during the pandemic.

Kelly proposed an education funding increase of $263 million, in line with a law enacted in 2019 to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/16d63062f0a645f6a9231e22b623e9fb">resolve a 2010 lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the state filed by four school districts. That lawsuit remains before the Kansas Supreme Court, and Democrats believe failing to provide as much money as Kelly recommended will prompt the justices to intervene.

The compromise education measure would modify a program that gives a state income tax credit for donations to funds that give private school scholarships to students in the 100 lowest-performing public elementary schools.

The House last month&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210408153110_690539/" target="_blank">approved a bill</a>&nbsp;containing Kelly’s proposed spending but also conservatives’ proposal for education savings accounts. Democrats and education groups argued that education savings accounts would siphon tens of millions of dollars from public schools, and the measure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-kansas-topeka-bills-a4887df7480ee8479cc2282b16c29c9a">failed in the Senate&nbsp;</a>on a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210409132538_694551/" target="_blank">20-20 vote.</a>

“Though they’re a wonderful tool that can help at-risk kids, it wasn’t something that we could find overall consensus on at this time,” said Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican and the chair of a House committee on education spending.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservative Republicans set aside their most ambitious proposal for helping Kansas parents move their children into private schools so that lawmakers could forge a bipartisan compromise Thursday night on education funding and policy.

Three state senators and three House members drafted the final version of a bill funding public schools as top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature negotiated privately with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly over the measure. They had yet to strike a deal Thursday night, but Republicans said GOP leaders and the governor were close.

Conservatives wanted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-education-kansas-topeka-c83a8d06af93e64f5647b0b9e53bed66">to tie</a>&nbsp;an increase in aid to the state’s 286 local public school districts to “school choice” initiatives but were unable to pass a bill with that combination. Democrats and education groups would prefer to provide the money with no new strings.

The education bill includes Kelly’s proposed spending on schools, tied to a proposal to expand an existing program for providing private-school scholarships to students in underperforming public elementary schools. It also includes a raft of other policies, including limits on remote learning that became prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There are definitely pieces in it that I don’t love, but at the end of the day, we’re fully funding schools,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat and one of the measure’s drafters.

Lawmakers didn’t yet have a promise from Kelly that she’d sign the measure they drafted. But House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., an Olathe Republican, said she and GOP leaders had moved closer to full funding for schools with “an expansion of options for parental choice.”

Mike Pirner, spokesperson for Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, said in text to The AP: “All I can say is it’s close and a lot of stakeholders are talking.”

The Legislature cannot wrap up its business for the year without finishing work on a spending blueprint for state government approaching $21 billion for the budget year that begins July 1. Funding for public schools would account for $5.2 billion in spending.

GOP leaders hoped to adjourn late Friday or on Saturday.

Kelly proposed an increase in education funding of $263 million, or 5.3%, in line with a law enacted in 2019 to resolve a 2010 lawsuit against the state brought by four school districts. That lawsuit remains before the Kansas Supreme Court, and Democrats believe failing to provide as money as Kelly has recommended will prompt the justices to intervene.

The House last month&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210408153110_690539/" target="_blank">approved a bill</a>&nbsp;containing Kelly’s spending, but it also passed a proposal from conservative Republicans that would send education funds to education savings accounts for academically troubled students that could be used to pay for private schooling. Democrats and education groups argued that education savings accounts potentially could siphon tens of millions of dollars from public schools.

“The full funding of education is really the top priority,” said Mark Tallman, a lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards. “We thought the education savings account were just too wide open in a lot of ways.”

House Republicans’ combination of proposals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-kansas-topeka-bills-a4887df7480ee8479cc2282b16c29c9a">failed in the Senate</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210409132538_694551/" target="_blank">a 20-20 vote&nbsp;</a>last month, lessening some conservatives’ expectations for what can pass.

The bill would modify a program that gives a state income tax credit for donations to scholarship funds that help at-risk students attend private schools. The total tax credits would remain capped at $10 million a year, but any elementary or middle school student who receives free or reduced-cost lunches would be eligible for scholarships.

But conservatives did not press for the more expansive savings-account plan in talks between the House and Senate, leaving the issue to next year.

The debates over K-12 funding and the rest of the budget were complicated by questions about higher education funding.

Kelly’s budget director, Adam Proffitt, told lawmakers in a memo Sunday that the U.S. Department of Education is requiring states to maintain “historic funding” for higher education to receive their full share of coronavirus relief funds.

Proffitt recommended an additional $53 million for the next budget and $106 million more for the budget year beginning July 1, 2022.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620223270696.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;“There are definitely pieces in it that I don’t love, but at the end of the day, we’re fully funding schools,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat and one of the measure’s drafters. Photo by Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;“There are definitely pieces in it that I don’t love, but at the end of the day, we’re fully funding schools,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat and one of the measure’s drafters. Photo by Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two Republican leaders said Friday that Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has committed to signing a bipartisan plan that boosts funding for public schools while also making more students eligible for private school scholarships.Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. bargained with Kelly as negotiators for each chamber drafted the $5.2 billion education funding and policy measure. The two legislative leaders hoped both chambers would pass the measure Friday or early Saturday and clear the way for the GOP-controlled Legislature to wrap up its business for the year.Conservatives did get a key “school choice” initiative into the package, but they dropped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-education-kansas-topeka-c83a8d06af93e64f5647b0b9e53bed66">a more ambitious proposal</a>&nbsp;to use state dollars to create education savings accounts that the parents of struggling public school students could use to pay for private schooling. The measure includes Kelly’s proposed 5.3% increase in aid for the state’s 286 local public school districts and a raft of other policies, including limits on remote learning that became prevalent during the coronavirus pandemic.“Everybody feels like they lost a little something and gained a little something,” Masterson, an Andover Republican, told reporters Friday.Kelly’s office did not immediately comment on the results of her negotiations with Masterson and Ryckman, an Olathe Republican.But asked whether Kelly had committed to signing the bill, Masterson said, “yes,” and Ryckman, an Olathe Republican, confirmed that in a text to The Associated Press.Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat and one of the education negotiators, said Thursday night that she would support the measure. It contains education groups’ top priority, an increase in education spending they see as fully funding public schools for 2021-22.“Obviously, we don’t want to get full funding with a lot of other unacceptable things, but this plan is a pretty substantial compromise,” said Mark Tallman, a lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards.Another group of House and Senate negotiators reached agreement late Thursday night on the rest of a $21 billion spending blueprint for state government for the budget year beginning July 1. Legislative leaders hoped both chambers would pass it late Friday or early Saturday.The budget would include an additional $53 million for higher education. Kelly’s budget director has said the extra money is necessary under a federal requirement to maintain “historic funding” for Kansas to get its full share of federal coronavirus relief funds.The budget also would include an additional $17 million to increase pay for state court employees, including judges, and hire 70 new court services officers. But budget negotiators didn’t include a pay raise for all state employees, with senators arguing taxpayers would object after thousands of people lost their jobs and businesses closed during the pandemic.Kelly proposed an education funding increase of $263 million, in line with a law enacted in 2019 to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/16d63062f0a645f6a9231e22b623e9fb">resolve a 2010 lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the state filed by four school districts. That lawsuit remains before the Kansas Supreme Court, and Democrats believe failing to provide as much money as Kelly recommended will prompt the justices to intervene.The compromise education measure would modify a program that gives a state income tax credit for donations to funds that give private school scholarships to students in the 100 lowest-performing public elementary schools.The total tax credits would remain capped at $10 million a year, but any elementary or middle school student who receives free or reduced-cost lunches would be eligible for scholarships. The tax-credit cap has never been reached.The House last month&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210408153110_690539/" target="_blank">approved a bill</a>&nbsp;containing Kelly’s proposed spending but also conservatives’ proposal for education savings accounts. Democrats and education groups argued that education savings accounts would siphon tens of millions of dollars from public schools, and the measure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-kansas-topeka-bills-a4887df7480ee8479cc2282b16c29c9a">failed in the Senate&nbsp;</a>on a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210409132538_694551/" target="_blank">20-20 vote.</a>“Though they’re a wonderful tool that can help at-risk kids, it wasn’t something that we could find overall consensus on at this time,” said Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican and the chair of a House committee on education spending.----------TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservative Republicans set aside their most ambitious proposal for helping Kansas parents move their children into private schools so that lawmakers could forge a bipartisan compromise Thursday night on education funding and policy.Three state senators and three House members drafted the final version of a bill funding public schools as top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature negotiated privately with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly over the measure. They had yet to strike a deal Thursday night, but Republicans said GOP leaders and the governor were close.Conservatives wanted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-education-kansas-topeka-c83a8d06af93e64f5647b0b9e53bed66">to tie</a>&nbsp;an increase in aid to the state’s 286 local public school districts to “school choice” initiatives but were unable to pass a bill with that combination. Democrats and education groups would prefer to provide the money with no new strings.The education bill includes Kelly’s proposed spending on schools, tied to a proposal to expand an existing program for providing private-school scholarships to students in underperforming public elementary schools. It also includes a raft of other policies, including limits on remote learning that became prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic.“There are definitely pieces in it that I don’t love, but at the end of the day, we’re fully funding schools,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat and one of the measure’s drafters.Lawmakers didn’t yet have a promise from Kelly that she’d sign the measure they drafted. But House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., an Olathe Republican, said she and GOP leaders had moved closer to full funding for schools with “an expansion of options for parental choice.”Mike Pirner, spokesperson for Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, said in text to The AP: “All I can say is it’s close and a lot of stakeholders are talking.”The Legislature cannot wrap up its business for the year without finishing work on a spending blueprint for state government approaching $21 billion for the budget year that begins July 1. Funding for public schools would account for $5.2 billion in spending.GOP leaders hoped to adjourn late Friday or on Saturday.Kelly proposed an increase in education funding of $263 million, or 5.3%, in line with a law enacted in 2019 to resolve a 2010 lawsuit against the state brought by four school districts. That lawsuit remains before the Kansas Supreme Court, and Democrats believe failing to provide as money as Kelly has recommended will prompt the justices to intervene.The House last month&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210408153110_690539/" target="_blank">approved a bill</a>&nbsp;containing Kelly’s spending, but it also passed a proposal from conservative Republicans that would send education funds to education savings accounts for academically troubled students that could be used to pay for private schooling. Democrats and education groups argued that education savings accounts potentially could siphon tens of millions of dollars from public schools.“The full funding of education is really the top priority,” said Mark Tallman, a lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards. “We thought the education savings account were just too wide open in a lot of ways.”House Republicans’ combination of proposals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-kansas-topeka-bills-a4887df7480ee8479cc2282b16c29c9a">failed in the Senate</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210409132538_694551/" target="_blank">a 20-20 vote&nbsp;</a>last month, lessening some conservatives’ expectations for what can pass.The bill would modify a program that gives a state income tax credit for donations to scholarship funds that help at-risk students attend private schools. The total tax credits would remain capped at $10 million a year, but any elementary or middle school student who receives free or reduced-cost lunches would be eligible for scholarships.But conservatives did not press for the more expansive savings-account plan in talks between the House and Senate, leaving the issue to next year.“Though they’re a wonderful tool that can help at-risk kids, it wasn’t something that we could find overall consensus on at this time,” said Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican and the chair of a House committee on education spending.The debates over K-12 funding and the rest of the budget were complicated by questions about higher education funding.Kelly’s budget director, Adam Proffitt, told lawmakers in a memo Sunday that the U.S. Department of Education is requiring states to maintain “historic funding” for higher education to receive their full share of coronavirus relief funds.Proffitt recommended an additional $53 million for the next budget and $106 million more for the budget year beginning July 1, 2022.Some Republicans were skeptical, but lawmakers working separately on parts of the budget outside K-12 spending agreed to include the first $53 million for the next budget year.