Lawrence Journal-World 05-23-13

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FREE STATE TO STATE NIGHTMARE ON NAISMITH Traveling group recasts for each performance Going Out 5A

Softball team vying for title Sports 1B

L A W R E NC E

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LJWorld.com

Analyses: GOP plans increase tax revenue to the state

Free State Firebirds take wing

By Scott Rothschild srothschild@ljworld.com

Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photos

GRADUATING SENIORS SING THE ALMA MATER at Free State High School’s 2013 commencement ceremony on Wednesday night at the school’s stadium.

Emotions high for both graduates, parents as Class of 2013 takes final bow By Peter Hancock phancock@ljworld.com

Kim Johnson stood on the track at Free State High School, her back to the evening sun, trying to get a group photo of her son Jackson Lockwood and several of his friends just before the graduation ceremony Wednesday night. “I’m related to one but still connected with them all,” she said. “And you know, when you get to know so many of his friends, you feel like a

Midweek grade Weeknight ceremonies get mixed reviews from families of graduates. Page 2A mom to a lot of them. It really is a wonderful feeling.” It was an emotional night for students and their families alike as 351 graduating seniors received their diplomas Please see FREE State, page 9A

ROSEMARY BLACK AND MADISON BALLINGER hug after the graduation ceremony Wednesday.

TOPEKA — Tax plans being considered by House and Senate Republican leaders would increase tax revenue coming to the state by $497 million to $821 million over a five-year period. The proposals call for higher sales tax and lower income taxes but would produce a net gain of tax revenue over the next five years over current law, according to analyses by the Kansas Department of Legislative Research, which are being used by legislators. Under current law, the 6.3 percent state sales tax is scheduled to decrease to 5.7 percent on July 1, less than State Rep. six weeks from now. The 6.3 percent rate was Arlen Siegfreid, approved in 2010 as a tem- R-Olathe, who is porary rate for three years to a member of the avoid deep budget cuts dur- House-Senate conference ing the Great Recession. But Gov. Sam Brownback, committee worka Republican, and Senate ing on the tax GOP leaders want to make plans, said the the 6.3 percent rate perma- increased revnent, saying the revenue is enue was needed needed to shore up the bud- because of the get and buy down future in- deep tax cuts signed into law come tax cuts. House Republican lead- last year by Gov. ers have so far been willing Sam Brownback. to go to a 6 percent state sales tax. Senate Republicans countered on Wednesday with 6.25 percent, and 5.7 percent for groceries. More negotiations were Please see TAX, page 2A

In tornado’s wake, city official wants review of shelter policies “

By Chad Lawhorn

clawhorn@ljworld.com

At least one Lawrence city commissioner wants an examination of what would happen if Lawrence was hit by a tornado similar in scale — almost 1.5 miles wide — to the one that ripped through Moore, Okla. “There are all the schools and KU that come to mind,

but think about all the businesses that house thousands of people every day,” City Commissioner Jeremy Farmer said. “If you were in a grocery store shopping that day, you are probably going to be shuffled to a back room and a walk-in cooler maybe held together by duct tape.” Farmer is asking city staff members to take a look at the

thing more than we are right now.”

No community shelters Lawrence and Douglas County have no storm shelters that are open to the public on a regular basis, said Jillian Rodrigue, assistant director of Douglas County Emergency Management.

INSIDE

Some sun Business Classified Comics Deaths

High: 70

community’s building codes in response to the disaster to determine whether there are more standards the city should adopt when it comes to storm shelters and other protections. “We need to have safe rooms and safe places all across our community,” Farmer said. “I’m not going to be an advocate for everybody digging one in their yard, but we have to do some-

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Events listings Going Out Horoscope Movies

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Today’s forecast, page 12A

2 charged in shootings Two Topeka men are facing charges in connection with a shooting in Lawrence early Sunday morning that left two other men in critical condition. Page 3A

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Please see SHELTERS, page 2A

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Vol.155/No.143 24 pages


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