The
IOLA REGISTER
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Tuesday, July 30, 2013
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STATE
NO SMALL FEAT
Lawmakers to consider governor’s selections By JOHN HANNA AP Political Writer
Register/Steven Schwartz
Above and below are Mrs. Mauk’s students’ representations of the 13 original colonies.
STUDENTS BRING 13 COLONIES TO LIFE By STEVEN SCHWARTZ steven@iolaregister.com
Housed in the Allen County Fair’s Youth Skills Showcase is a project of historic proportions — it’s just on a miniature scale. The showcase, which is in the New Community Building at Riverside Park, houses 10 small villages built of different small materials — representing some of the 13 original colonies. Fifth-grade students at Humboldt Elementary School have been a part of Kelly Mauk’s colonial study program for many years, and this year they decided to enter the project at the fair. The idea was originally Becky Meiwes’, but the students were in charge of the creation. “We love this project,” Mauk said. “The kids look forward to it every year.” The program, which takes about nine weeks, follows
colonial history from around 1607 to 1775. The students study the layout of the colonies, and use a book as their reference. Then, it’s on to the planning stage. The students, who are put into groups of four or five, begin laying out their blueprint designs — color-coded, set out in a grid and traced design. The kids votes on their favorite blueprint, and use it to construct the colony. “They really get to see their blueprints come to life,” Mauk said. Overall, 43 students worked for Kelly Mauk three weeks in groups at home to recreate American history. The small buildings represent schools, blacksmith shops, general stores and churches, just to name a few. Trees dot See COLONIES | Page A8
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lawmakers expect to consider up to 19 of Gov. Sam Brownback’s appointments during a special legislative session, prompting a top critic Monday to declare that the session has been “orchestrated” to quickly confirm a new state Court Brownback of Appeals judge without much public scrutiny. The Republican governor has called the GOP-dominated Legislature into session Sept. 3 to rewrite the state’s “Hard 50” criminal sentencing law. It allows judges to sentence convicted murderers to life in prison with no chance of parole for 50 years, and a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision raised questions about its constitutionality. But GOP leaders said with lawmakers in session, the Senate is legally required to consider Brownback appointees who’ve yet to be confirmed. The list will include Brownback’s nominee for a newly created seat on the Court of Appeals, as well as his new secretary of administration, a new securities commissioner and three members of the Board of Regents, which oversees higher education. Brownback has until Aug. 29 to nominate the Court of Appeals judge. Absent the special session, the Senate wouldn’t consider the appointment until the Legislature convenes its next regular session in January, and the judge wouldn’t be allowed to join the state’s second-highest court until then. But with the special session, the confirmaSee SELECTIONS | Page A8
NATIONAL
Obama proposes ‘grand bargain’ By NEDRA PICKLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is extending a new proposal to Republicans that he hopes will break the political gridlock on budget negotiations, offering to cut corporate tax rates in exchange for job investments. White House officials say just because they’re at an impasse with congressional Republicans over a grand bargain on reducing the deficit doesn’t mean they shouldn’t look for other areas of agreement. So Obama plans to use a trip to an Amazon. com distribution center in Chattanooga, Tenn., today to propose a “grand bargain for middle-class jobs.” Obama long has called for a cut in corporate tax rates, but previously insisted such business tax reform be coupled with an individual tax
overhaul. He’s dropping that demand and says instead that he’s open to the corporate tax cut that businesses crave. But he wants it to be coupled with a significant investment on some sort of job creation program, such as manufacturing, infrastructure or community colleges. House Speaker John Boehner’s office said Obama’s proposals were hardly a compromise. “This proposal allows President Obama to support President Obama’s position on taxes and President Obama’s position on spending, while leaving small businesses and American families behind,” Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said. Congressional Republicans have long insisted on tying corporate and individual tax reform so that small business owners who use the individual tax code would be offered cuts along with large corporations. See BARGAIN | Page A8
Vol. 115, No. 194
Moonlight Splash back again A reminder to all parents, grandparents and guardians of all USD 257 students in grades K-6, the fifth annual “Moonlight Splash” back to school free swimming party is from 8 to 10 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Iola Municipal Pool. Organizers Steve and Cecilia Orcutt, retired art instructors in Iola, will once again serve as hosts. Milo “Drumsticks” Combs also will be on hand for a chicken dance or two by the light of the full moon. The Orcutts organize the annual pool party to celebrate the upcoming school year by coming together and showing support for kids and their schools.
Milo “Drumsticks” Combs will appear at a back-toschool swim party at the Iola Municipal Pool Aug. 9. Register file photo
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