LJWorld.com / Lottery bill set to fly, not airport plan

Archive for Saturday, March 3, 2001

The Associated Press

March 3, 2001

Topeka — Republican legislative leaders are predicting quick passage for the latest compromise on a bill to extend the Kansas Lottery's life.

Rep. Doug Mays, R-Topeka, the House's lead negotiator on the bill, plans to present the compromise Monday to a conference committee of three senators and three House members. He and Republican leaders expect the committee to ratify it quickly.

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The compromise would keep the lottery in operation until July 1, 2008, six years after the July 1, 2002, abolition date now set in law. It also would place restrictions on lottery advertising, require regular security audits of the agency and encourage it to take competitive bids for major contracts.

The compromise wouldn't include a House proposal to spend $4 million to reduce fares for flights to and from Kansas airports. The proposal is known as "Air Mayans," after its sponsor, Rep. Carlos Mayans, R-Wichita.

The committee agreed Wednesday to the same proposal, only with the "Air Mayans" plan included. The Senate which never debated the airfare concept rejected the proposal Thursday on a 28-11 vote.

If the committee reaches agreement Monday as expected, the Senate can consider it the same day. Senate approval would allow the House to vote Tuesday.

Graves told reporters Friday he sees nothing objectionable in the latest compromise.

"I think by next week we ought to have it entirely resolved," said Senate President Dave Kerr, R-Hutchinson.