2A
|
Thursday, October 11, 2012
.
DEATHS Journal-World obituary policy: For information about running obituaries, call 8327151. Obituaries run as submitted by funeral homes or the families of the deceased.
ORAN W. OGLE Private family internment for Oran W. Ogle, 87, Lawrence will be held Friday. Memorials may be made to United Church of God, sent to Warren-McElwain.
DAVID LEROY SMART Funeral for David Leroy Smart, 34, Lawrence, will be at 2 pm, Friday, Oct. 12, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, south of Lawrence. David died Sunday in Douglas County. He was born Oct. 24, 1977, the son of Leroy E. Smart and Alice L. Brouhard-Bomberger. He graduated from McLouth High, was an Air Force Veteran and worked at Amarr Garage Doors for several years. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Betty Smart and Alvin Stowe. Survivors include his parents; sister, Debi Leonard and husband Steve and their daughter Lily. The family will receive
-"83&/$& t 45"5&
Contest for top spot in Kansas Senate narrows WICHITA (AP) — A veteran Wichita legislator who twice survived cancer has formally launched an effort to become the Kansas Senate’s first female president. The Wichita Eagle reports Sen. Susan Wagle announced her plans to seek the chamber’s top leadership post during a Tuesday fundraiser at the Flint Hills National Golf Club in Andover. Gov. Sam Brownback and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran attended and praised her, with Brownback calling her “fabulous.” Wagle’s bid also received a boost when fellow state Sen. Les Donovan, also from Wichita, announced that he won’t run for the position and will instead seek to become Senate vice president. Wagle is now the only senator ac-
KASB Executive Director John Heim. “At the same time, school leaders know we must continue to increase the college and career readiness skills of our high school graduates to meet the state’s economic needs,” Heim said. The KASB Committee on School Efficiency will monitor the work of Brownback’s task force and develop recommendations to share with the group. Sherriene Jones-Sontag, a spokeswoman for Brownback, said she looked forward to the KASB group coming up with ways to get more of school spending into the classroom. Brownback held a news conference earlier in the week and displayed a large poster that said only 54 percent of school finance is used for instruction. Educators disagree and say Brownback’s figures don’t include student and teacher support services, such as guidance counselors, librarians, nurses, and other staff. The KASB said that Kansas ranks sixth in the nation in a number of state and national indicators, such as high school graduation, college completion, and basic reading and math, yet ranks 27th in current spending per pupil. Named to the KASB committee were:
Glennys Doane, school board member, Waconda USD 272, and member of the KASB Board of Directors
Margaret Nighten-
Tax CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
“It’s just, let’s see where we are in the budget.” Brownback proposed this year that the state keep its sales tax at 6.3 percent permanently, to offset income tax cuts he pursued and lessen their effects on the budget. Brownback argued that cutting income taxes would do more to stimulate the economy than lowering the sales tax. But many legislators, including some Republicans, considered it important for the state to keep the promise that the sales tax would go down. Brownback’s predecessor, Mark Parkinson, relied on fellow Democrats and moderate Repub-
tively campaigning to become president. Fellow Republicans have expected Wagle to Wagle seek the job, but she has faced questions about her health. She spent most of the summer undergoing chemotherapy for cancer of the bodycleansing lymphatic system. Wagle, who also survived a bout with cancer in 1996, said her doctor has told her that she’s in “complete remission.” Republican senators and senators-elect will meet in December to pick new leaders, with the entire chamber deferring by tradition to the majority party’s pick for
friends Thurs. from 7 to 8pm at the funeral home. Memorials in his name may be sent in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044. Online condolences may be sent at www. rumsey-yost.com Please sign this CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A guestbook at Obituaries. LJWorld.com. because it may not cover the drugs someone is taking. Tomlin said some Douglas County beneficiaries saved about $1,500 last year by switching plans while others saved “a little.” School leaders If you are eligible to know we must conenroll in a Medicare pretinue to increase the scription drug plan but haven’t signed up yet, you college and career might want to consider readiness skills of our it because there is a penhigh school graduates alty if you choose to do so later. The penalty is to meet the state’s 1 percent of the average economic needs.” monthly premium for every month an individual wasn’t enrolled, but could — KASB Executive Director John have been. So, if a resident Heim didn’t enroll in 2006 when the program was started gale, school board mem- and they could have, the ber, Ulysses USD 214, penalty is $22 a month and and member of the KASB it’s added to the premium. Board of Directors “That’s every month
Pam Robinson, school forever. It doesn’t go board member, Blue Val- away,” Tomlin said. ley USD 229, member of Individuals become elithe KASB Board of Direc- gible for Medicare at age tors and past president of 65, and then they have KASB three months to sign up Joe Skye, school board for a prescription drug member, Baxter Springs plan, commonly called a USD 508 Part D plan.
Patrick Woods, school It’s also the enrollment board member, Topeka period for Medicare AdPublic Schools USD 501 vantage plans, which is a and member of the KASB replacement for the origiBoard of Directors nal Medicare plan, and
Randy Watson, su- most offer prescription perintendent, McPherson drug coverage. USD 418 There will be trained
Jim Freeman, school SHICK volunteers availboard treasurer, Andover able at the Lawrence USD 385 Senior Center, 747 Vt.,
Lisa Peters, school throughout the enrollboard treasurer, Salina ment period to provide asUSD 305 sistance free of charge. El Dave Heinemann, igible people need to take public relations director, their Medicaid cards and a Schools for Quality Educa- list of their prescriptions. tion, representing Kansas They also should take an small and rural schools; income statement because former Kansas legislator they could be eligible for from Garden City additional financial help.
Diane Gjerstad, direc- To make an appointment, tor of governmental rela- call the center at 842-0543. tions, Wichita USD 259, Meanwhile, Kansas Informer Kansas legislator surance Commissioner from Wichita. Sandy Praeger is warning seniors to be alert for po— Statehouse reporter Scott Rothschild tential scams surrounding can be reached at 785-423-0668. the enrollment period for
these Medicare programs. “Unfortunately, not everyone who contacts Medicare-age Kansans about Medicare drug plan or Medicare Advantage plans has the best intentions,” she said. “Being smart and alert is very important in fighting potential fraud and illegal sales.” Praeger offered these tips:
Beware of door-todoor salespeople. Agents can’t solicit business for either Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage Plans at your home without an appointment. Also, Medicare has no official sales representatives.
Check with the Kansas Insurance Department to make sure the salesperson is a licensed agent. Call 800-432-2484 to speak with a consumer assistance representative.
Federal regulations prohibit the marketing of Medicare products at an education event or in places where health care is delivered. They also prohibit offers of free meals
licans to get the GOPdominated Legislature to boost the sales tax to 6.3 percent from 5.3 percent in 2010. Even after July 2013, part of the increase would remain in effect to help finance highway projects. The Legislature’s research staff has estimated that keeping the sales tax at 6.3 percent would raise at least $250 million in additional revenues a year after July 2013. But if Brownback pursued a sales tax proposal, he probably would face bipartisan criticism — in part because he strongly criticized the rise in the sales tax in 2010 while running for governor. “I’m not surprised that he wants to use the sales tax, but at the same time, the Legislature made a promise that it should end,” said Senate Ways and Means Committee
tic but Brownback acknowledged Wednesday that economic growth is likely to lag behind the tax cuts. “There’s going to be a two-year dip,” Brownback said. “That’s the nature of these, when you cut taxes. If you cut them right, you get growth on the other side, but there’s a dip first.” In July, Brownback’s budget director, Steve Anderson, instructed state agencies to prepare proposals for cutting up to 10 percent of their spending during the fiscal year that begins in July, though state aid to public schools was exempted. Administration officials have said Anderson’s instructions were only a hedge against fiscal uncertainty and noted that he also asked for currentresources proposals and
Medicare
Efficiency “ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
L AWRENCE J OURNAL -W ORLD
Chairwoman Carolyn McGinn, a Sedgwick Republican. “I see it as a tax increase.” The tax cuts enacted this year will reduce individual income tax rates for 2013, dropping the top rate to 4.9 percent from 6.45 percent and exempting the owners of 191,000 partnerships, sole proprietorships and other businesses from income taxes. Legislative researchers estimate that the cuts will save taxpayers $231 million during the current budget year and more than $4.5 billion over the next six years. Legislative researchers also project that the income tax cuts will create collective budget shortfalls approaching $2.5 billion over the next six years. Brownback and his allies view those projections as too pessimis-
president. The job will be open because current Senate President Steve Morris of Hugoton lost his Aug. 7 GOP primary. Morris was among eight moderate GOP senators ousted by challengers in primary races. The tea party movement, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and the anti-tax, small-government group Americans for Prosperity sought to purge the Senate of moderates who’d stalled Brownback’s legislative agenda, and the primary results all but guaranteed a conservative majority in the chamber next year. Wagle still must defeat Democrat Patrick Cantwell, also from Wichita, a former teacher and postal service worker, in the Nov. 6 general election.
Enrollment help is available The Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas program at Douglas County Senior Services is offering enrollment assistance regarding Medicare’s prescription drug plans, beginning Monday at the Lawrence Senior Center, 745 Vt. Seniors can make an appointment by calling 842-0543. There also will be walk-in clinics where no appointment is necessary and people will be helped on a first-come, first-served basis. They will be from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 30 and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 24, Nov. 10, Nov. 12, Nov. 19, Nov. 27, Nov. 29 and Dec. 5. Area walk-in clinics will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon in:
Baldwin City — Oct.
18 at Roberts Pharmacy, and Nov. 8 at Auburn Pharmacy.
Eudora — Oct. 25 at Byrnes Pharmacy.
Lecompton — Nov. 1 at Lecompton High School. Seniors need to take their Medicare card and a list of their prescriptions. They also should take an income statement because they could be eligible for additional financial help. Seniors also can compare plans or enroll in one by visiting The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ website at medicare. gov or by calling (800) 633-4227. There also will be “Welcome to Medicare” sessions offered from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 17 and Nov. 14 at the Lawrence Senior Center. for listening to a sale presentation for a Medicare product or signing up for a particular plan.
Medicare beneficiaries are urged not to give out personal information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers or credit card numbers to anyone not verified as a licensed agent. Salespeople are not allowed to request such personal information in their marketing activities and cannot ask for payment over the Internet.
Verify the plan chosen is an approved Medicare plan by checking online at medicare.gov or by calling 800-633-4227. Kansas Medicare beneficiaries can contact the Kansas Insurance Department Consumer Assistance Division for more information about Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plans at 800432-2484. — Health reporter Karrey Britt can be reached at 832-7190. Britt also is the editor of WellCommons.com, and you can follow her at Twitter.com/WellCommons.
ljworld.com 645 N.H. (News Center) Lawrence, KS 66044 (785) 843-1000 • (800) 578-8748
EDITORS Mark Potts, vice president of content 832-7105, mpotts@ljworld.com Caroline Trowbridge, community editor 832-7196, ctrowbridge@ljworld.com Ann Gardner, editorial page editor 832-7153, agardner@ljworld.com Tom Keegan, sports editor 832-7147, tkeegan@ljworld.com
OTHER CONTACTS Classified advertising: 832-2222 or www.ljworld.com/classifieds Print and online advertising: Susan Cantrell, vice president of sales and marketing, 832-6307, scantrell@ ljworld.com
CALL US Let us know if you’ve got a story idea. Email news@ljworld.com or contact one of the following: Arts and entertainment:....................832-6356 City government:.................................832-6362 County government:.......................... 832-6314 Courts and crime..................................832-7144 Health:.......................................................832-7190 Kansas University: .............................832-6388 Lawrence schools: ..............................832-6314 Letters to the editor: .........................832-7153 Local news: ...........................................832-7154 Obituaries: ..............................................832-7151 Photo reprints: ......................................832-7141 Society: .....................................................832-7151 Sports:.......................................................832-7147
SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe, or for billing, vacation or delivery: 832-7199 • Weekdays: 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m. • Weekends: 6 a.m.-10 a.m. Didn’t receive your paper? Call 832-7199 before 10 a.m. We guarantee in-town redelivery on the same day. The circulation office is not open on weekends, but phone calls will be taken from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Published daily by The World Company at Sixth and New Hampshire streets, Lawrence, KS 66044-0122. Telephone: 843-1000; or toll-free (800) 578-8748.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Lawrence Journal-World, P.O. Box 888, Lawrence, KS 66044-0888 (USPS 306-520) Periodicals postage paid at Lawrence, Kan.
Member of Audit Bureau of Circulations Member of The Associated Press
LOTTERY WEDNESDAY’S POWERBALL 18 26 29 35 43 (28) TUESDAY’S MEGA MILLIONS 6 15 16 22 37 (3) WEDNESDAY’S HOT LOTTO SIZZLER 16 20 24 32 34 (4) WEDNESDAY’S SUPER KANSAS CASH 12 18 20 22 28 (11) WEDNESDAY’S KANSAS 2BY2 Red: 8 19; White: 6 19 WEDNESDAY’S KANSAS PICK 3 9 6 9
www.ljworld.com
What do you think of Pizza Hut’s offer of a lifetime of free pizza to anyone who asks presidential candidates “sausage or pepperoni?” at next week’s debate?
¾ A genius marketing move ¾ A new low in politics requests for extra spend- ¾ What about extra ing. cheese? But Brownback’s crit- ¾ Other ics have said Anderson’s instructions confirmed their fears about how the Wednesday’s poll: Would income tax cuts will affect you ever eat offal, parts the budget. of an animal such as “This tax plan makes intestines and brains? it impossible for the gov- No way, 63%; Yes, withernment to work,” said Kansas Democratic Party out hesitation, 20%; Chairwoman Joan Wa- Maybe, with some congnon, a former state rev- vincing, 16%. enue secretary. “It is absolutely scary.” Vote at LJWorld.com.
Your loved one never leaves our care. Your only locally owned crematory.
& Crematory
Our fami familyy serving servi g your family fami y since 1920
6th & Indiana • 843-5111