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THE IOLA REGISTER Locally owned since 1867
www.iolaregister.com
Thursday, June 11, 2015
House says no; back at square 1
ACTION!
By JOHN HANNA and NICHOLAS CLAYTON The Associated Press
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas faced the prospect of deep cuts to schools, prisons and other programs today after the Republican-controlled House soundly rejected a proposal supported by Gov. Sam Brownback that would hike sales and cigarette taxes to close a budget deficit. In past years, legislators backed the GOP governor by slashing personal income taxes in an effort to stimulate the economy, but those policies contributed to a deficit that ballooned this year. With a constitutional mandate against operating in the red, Brownback’s preferred solution got little support this time, even from his own party. The House voted 95-20 against a plan that would generate more than $400 million
in revenue over the fiscal year beginning July 1, largely by increasing the state’s sales tax from 6.15 percent to 6.55 percent and imposing a 50 centsper-pack hike on cigarettes. Brownback’s budget director has warned lawmakers that, if the governor is forced to cut the deficit on his own, it will come with a steep price to programs — including the loss of $197 million in state aid to schools. The governor told The Associated Press that he was disappointed because, “It’s past time to get this done.” See HOUSE | Page A5
Carlie Payne, left, and Lauren McDermeit act during an improv game called “Typewriter,” at the Children’s Summer Theatre Workshop Wednesday. The workshop is split into two sessions, one for students third through fifth grade and one for sixth through eighth grade. Student actors will perform a free show for the public at 9:30 a.m. June 20 at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET
Grants help community projects take root By KAYLA BANZET The Iola Register
Seed grants have sprouted and will soon bear fruit across Allen County. Susan Michael, executive director of the Allen County Community Foundation, announced this week eight local organizations were awarded Seed Funding for 2015. Earlier this year a group of anonymous donors approached Michael with the idea of having residents from across the county submit ways to improve their communities. The Foundation was asked to administer the grant. Project ideas could range from $30 to $30,000. Requests were reviewed on how they could best serve the community. From 77 applications, eight were selected. A total of $24,940 will be dispersed. “The Community Foundation is grateful for the partnership we have with the Seed Fund,” Michael said. “This is a group of people who care about giving back to the Allen County community, and the Allen County Community Foundation is happy to assist them.” Those receiving grants are: — Allen County Community
By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register
Elsmore residents received a Seed grant for $4,500 to help construct a community garden like Iola’s. Karen Price, Elsmore, said they would like to create raised beds or a wall garden for the elderly. REGISTER/KAYLA BANZET Food Pantry, $4,000, for walk-in cooler — ANW Cooperative Special Olympics, $500, to help pay expenses for athletes — Elsmore City Council, $4,500, to create a community garden — Hannah’s Promise Pregnancy Life Center, $1,140, for a computer for client use — Humboldt Lions Club, $7,800, for a Pediavision Spot Screening Device
— Humboldt Ministerial Alliance, $1,000, to help residents with utility bills — Santa’s Toy Shop, $1,500, to repair gently used toys for kids at Christmas — USD 257 Alumni Endowment Association, $4,000, for a technology initiative — USD 257 Food Service, $2,000, to expand its summer meal program See SEED | Page A5
A treat for animal owners: It’s a dog’s life — at work By WILLIAM HAGEMAN Chigago Trubine
CHICAGO (TNS) — Take Your Dog To Work Day isn’t until June 26. Diesel, an 8-year-old schnoodle, looks at the calendar and snorts. Diesel comes to work one or two times a week at Kaleidoscope, a company that assists brand owners through consulting, strategic design
Council approves LaHarpe rate hike
and prototyping, in Chicago. On this particular afternoon, she is walking the aisles near the workspace of her person, Dawn Brigando. “We come in and she’s on her own,” says Brigando, a production artist. “I never worry. She knows who she gets treats from, and she’s free to go where she wants.” Diesel, who has been coming to the office since she was about 4 months old, is part of
Quote of the day Vol. 117, No. 154
the culture at Kaleidoscope, which has an open doggy door policy. Employees are encouraged to bring their canines to work, and eight or 10 of them do regularly. There’s usually a dog (or dogs) in the office three or four days a week. The idea of pets in the office isn’t new. But it got a boost when Pet Sitters International launched Take Your Dog To Work Day 17 (people)
years ago, and things have snowballed. According to the American Pet Products Association, 20 percent of U.S. companies now have adopted pet-friendly policies. “I don’t know the origin of this. I do know it’s a growing trend,” says Steve Feldman, executive director of the Human-Animal Bond Research Initiative Foundation, a nonSee PET | Page A5
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” — Robert Kennedy 75 Cents
LAHARPE — LaHarpe electricity customers will pay more for their electric bills starting next month. LaHarpe City Council members approved a 6 percent hike in electric rates, effective immediately, because of an uptick in wholesale costs. Mayor Mae Crowell said the city was notified by Westar that the utility giant was raising the city’s rates 6 percent June 1, with even larger rate hikes higher by 2018. Without the rate increase, the city stood to lose money for each kilowatt sold, an all-too-frequent occurrence in recent years. Councilman Danny Ware noted LaHarpe has lost money in its electric fund in five of the past 10 years because rates weren’t high enough. “You’re not going to be in business very long if you keep losing money,” Ware said. Meanwhile, Councilwoman Sara’Nicole Prock noted LaHarpe’s rates were the third lowest in the region. The Council declined to take further action in anticipation of future rate hikes, declining, for example, to increase the base rate on meter charges for residents or business owners. The meSee HIKE | Page A5
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