Lawrence Journal-World 01-31-15

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SATURDAY • JANUARY 31 • 2015

LJWorld.com

Kansas’ January revenues short $47.2 million Larger-than-usual tax refunds drove shortfall, revenue secretary says

By Peter Hancock Twitter: @LJWpqhancock

Topeka — The size of the state’s budget hole got bigger Friday when the Kansas Department of Revenue reported that January revenues came in $47.2 million short of projections. That means the total amount of money actually collected so far this year has been $59 mil-

lion short of projecthe Kansas Republican tions. And those projecParty was beginning its tions, which were last annual state convention updated in November, in Topeka. were already showing House Speaker Ray that revenues would be Merrick, R-Stilwell, de$279 million short of LEGISLATURE clined to discuss the report. what is actually needed “I don’t talk to reportto fund this year’s budget. ers at social events,” Merrick said. The news came out just as Revenue Secretary Nick Jor-

dan attributed the shortfall to larger-than-expected tax refunds issued in January, $22 million more than in January 2014. “We are glad that Kansas taxpayers are getting their refund checks earlier than last year, unfortunately that negatively affects our tax receipts for this

A little steam cleaning

Aqueduct report gets lukewarm reception

Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo

Ads target KU as having ‘rape problem’ —————

University says sexual assault is a national issue, questions singling out KU

expanding women’s rights. The campaign’s ultimate goal, according to UltraViolet, is pressuring Princeton Review rankings to include information on campuses’ “sexual assault track re— KU spokeswoman Erinn Barcomb-Peterson cords” and, thus, motivate all schools to better address KU is one of 10 schools according to UltraViolet, a the issue. UltraViolet began nationwide that the ad cam- group that describes its misPlease see AD, page 2A paign will mention by name, sion as fighting sexism and

Students, faculty and administrators at KU are actively engaged in preventing and responding A national women’s rights to sexual assault, and we welcome anyone who group is funding online ads wants to be a constructive part of this effort.” Twitter: @saramarieshep

warning prospective Kansas University students that the university has a “rape problem.” KU representatives say the group’s basis for the imputation is questionable.

Please see SHORT, page 2A

MISSOURI RIVER

DON WINKLMEIER, A CITY MAINTENANCE WORKER, power washes a tractor Friday at the city’s garage at 11th Street and Haskell Avenue. Temperatures in the lower 40s contributed to the steamy effect. Today’s temperatures will hover between the 20s and 30s, with light snow and rain in the forecast.

By Sara Shepherd

month,” Jordan said. He also said that sales taxes came in lower than expected, “possibly because of a shift to online shopping where sales tax is frequently not collected.” Overall, individual income taxes came in $35.5 million

Topeka (ap) — The Kansas Water Authority has agreed to circulate an updated report on a proposal to build an aqueduct to take water from the Missouri River to southwestern Kansas despite its members showing little enthusiasm for the idea. The authority accepted a report Thursday on a proposal to build a 360-mile concrete-lined canal and 15 pumping stations, Kansas Water at an estimated cost Authority of $18 billion to construct and additional members said $1 billion each year to the report operate it. The project doesn’t address would move excess Missouri River wa- several key ter held in a reservoir questions, near White Cloud, such as the along the Nebraska financial, legal, border, to Utica in cultural and southwest Kansas. A state committee environmental was asked to update impacts of the a 1982 analysis on a similar proposal be- plan. cause water levels are declining in the Ogallala Aquifer, a major source of water for a large part of the Great Plains. Members of the Water Authority said they were glad to have the report updated but that it’s not a time to spend money on the project when Kansas is facing more immediate water issues. Please see RIVER, page 2A

Police department requesting funding to start service dog program

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awrence’s newest crime fighters may have four legs. The Lawrence Police Department is requesting funding to start a police service dog program. The department currently relies on police dogs from Topeka or other jurisdictions to help in cases involving search and recovery, narcotics and other such issues. A new report from the department details just how often Lawrence officers are in need of dogs. The department asked two officers who are assigned to criminal interdiction to track how often they request a police dog

INSIDE

Snow, rain Business Classified Comics Deaths

High: 36

Low: 27

Today’s forecast, page 8A

from another department. From April 2014 to November 2014, they requested a police dog on 211 occasions. They received a police dog from other jurisdictions just 53 times. The report notes that police dogs helped seize large amounts of illegal narcotics, and even assisted in discovering a financial scheme that involved about $100,000 in fraudulent gift cards. The department said a police dog also would be invaluable in helping track a missing child or an at-risk adult. City commissioners will consider the issue at their Tuesday evening meeting. A police dog

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costs about $9,500 to purchase, and there are other startup and operational expenses as well. The department has presented several funding scenarios. On the low end, the department could start a program with two police dogs for $36,000 if it used existing vehicles and personnel. On the high end, a program with two dogs, new vehicles and new personnel would cost about $270,000. City commissioners meet at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday at City Hall to discuss the issue.

Arrest made in shooting Lawrence police have arrested a Kansas City, Kan., man in connection with the Friday shooting of a Lawrence man in critical condition. Page 3A

— Chad Lawhorn

Vol.157/No.31 20 pages


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