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Legislature returns to face budget, tax decisions
‘You never lose your sense of duty’
By Scott Rothschild
srothschild@ljworld.com
people attended the event at VFW Post 852, which featured the normal ceremony minus the honor guard. Speaker Bob Burkhart discussed partnerships in patriotism within the community. Over at American Legion Dorsey-Liberty Post No. 14,
TOPEKA — The current legislative session is tied into knots over taxes and spending because legislators are trying to unravel what a Republican majority led by Gov. Sam Brownback did last year. Last year, following a political standoff, Brownback signed into law what was called “the nuclear option”: deep income tax cuts that projected revenue deficits for years to come. One year later, Republicans, who hold super majorities in the House and Senate, are trying to figure out how to balance the state budget and continue Brownback’s goal to eliminate the state income tax. Today, after taking off Holland the Memorial Day weekend, legislators will continue their overtime session to consider a plan that would increase the state sales tax, reduce popular income tax deductions and decrease the standard deduction, while lowering income tax rates. Over a five-year period, the Brownback package will increase taxes by $857 million. “This is shifting the tax burden from the wealthy to lower and middle class,” said State Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City. But Senate President Susan Wagle, RWichita, insists the plan will lower the tax burden on Kansans after 2018 through the decreasing income tax rates.
Please see MEMORIAL, page 2A
Please see SESSION, page 2A
Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photo
IN A HEAVY RAIN JEFF JENSON, right, plays taps near the the American Legion Honor Guard during Memorial Day services at the Dorsey-Liberty Post No. 14 American Legion Hall, at 3408 W. Sixth St.
Storms don’t keep community from honoring troops’ sacrifices By Giles Bruce gbruce@ljworld.com
Pouring rains couldn’t stop local veterans organizations from memorializing their fallen comrades Monday. While their Memorial Day ceremonies were moved inside by the heavy morning downpour, their
message remained the same: Troops who died protecting our freedom should never be forgotten. “Memorial Day is an important day not just for the veterans community but the community as a whole,” said Michael Siroky, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 852, which relocated its ceremony
from Memorial Park Cemetery to the post at 1801 Massachusetts St. “It’s important from time to time that we take a moment to focus on the sacrifice and hardship that servicemembers and their families have had to endure to maintain our way of life.” A smaller-than-expected crowd of about 30 to 40
Couple plead guilty, plan to marry amid biggest drug bust From the Emerald Triangle to the Sunflower State: the inside story of Lawrence’s cross-country marijuana pipeline: Part 3 By Shaun Hittle, Ian Cummings sdhittle@ljworld.com; icummings@ljworld.com
Bauman
Willming
Some love stories are complicated. Such is the case of Lawrence businessman Chad Bauman and local tanning salon owner Carey Willming. Their romance
Please see COUPLE, page 8A
Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo
CHAD BAUMAN AND CAREY WILLMING received a $600,000 loan to purchase property in Lecompton. The 31-acre property and a partially built home were seized by authorities as part of the drug indictment.
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is clouded by drug trafficking, money laundering and federal convictions that could send them both to prison. Authorities have seized the 2.4-karat, $13,000 engagement ring Bauman bought for Willming, as well as a $600,000 house in Lecompton in which they planned to live — both allegedly purchased with drug money. Both have pleaded guilty to charges in the case, and even with possible impending prison sentences the engaged couple
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Today’s forecast, page 10B
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Helping kids cope
Vol.155/No.148 20 pages
Children with parents battling cancer now can join a free support group through Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Page 5A
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