SECOND-HALF SURGE CARRIES KU TO 84-62 WIN OVER OKLAHOMA Sports 1B
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Map putting Lawrence in 2nd District causes uproar By Scott Rothschild srothschild@ljworld.com
TOPEKA — The Kansas Chamber of Commerce and state Republican Party on Wednesday blasted Republicans who supported a bipartisan congressional redistricting map
that consolidated Lawrence into the 2nd U.S. House District. Kansas Republican Party Chairwoman Amanda Adkins said the proposal “appears to be a coldly calculated attempt to create a Democrat 2nd Congressional District to the detriment of the dean of our
congressional delegation.” The 2nd District is represented by U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Topeka. Currently, Lawrence, which leans Democratic, is split between the 2nd and 3rd Districts. Ivan Crossland, chairman of the Kansas Chamber Political Action
Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka said the comments by Adkins and the Kansas Chamber were “clearly out of bounds, off the charts in terms of reaction.”
Committee, said, “This map hurts Republicans and helps President Obama’s agenda. Just the latest example of why we need a new state Senate.” The chamber is working to defeat moderate Republicans in the Please see MAP, page 2A
Family: Double fines on on K-10
New play series takes flight
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Measure would allow ‘safety corridors’ on certain roads By Scott Rothschild srothschild@ljworld.com
Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photo
A CARDBOARD AIRPLANE IS LAUNCHED Wednesday off the roof of the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., in preparation for On Screen Offspring, a series of one-act plays written and directed by area filmmakers. The series begins Friday. The artwork by Juniper Tangpuz will be used for a set piece in the play “Take-offs and Landings,” which was written and directed by Misti Boland. See video of the launch at LJWorld.com.
Lawmakers won’t review concealed carry for blind Officials expected to consider allowing guns on campus By Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com
A little-known provision in Kansas law that allows the blind and other people with serious physical infirmities to carry concealed weapons in public places likely will not get reviewed by state lawmakers this session. Kansas legislators are expected to debate a proposal that would allow concealed carry permit holders to
bring their guns onto college campuses and into many public buildings. But the chief proponent of that bill said Wednesday he has no plans to introduce legislation that would clarify a 2010 law change that removed the ability of the Kansas Attorney General to deny a concealed carry license based on a person “suffering a physical infirmity which prevents the safe handling of a weapon.” “I’m just trying to address my spe-
cific issue,” said Rep. Forrest Knox, R-Altoona, who has introduced the legislation that would allow guns on campuses and in other public buildings, if those buildings don’t have certain electronic security devices in place. “I have made an intentional choice to stick with this one particular issue and not try to broaden it out too much.” Chuck Sexson, who oversees the concealed carry program for the Kansas Attorney General’s office,
said he also is not aware of any pending legislation that would address the state’s ability to deny a license when there is evidence that an individual can’t safely handle a weapon. Knox The change was included in a 2010 law that revamped much of the state’s six-year-old concealed carry program. The changes include eliminating the Please see CONCEALED, page 2A
University hopes energy audit will result in significant savings By Andy Hyland ahyland@ljworld.com
Kansas University has mostly completed the work associated with a $25 million energy savings audit that began in 2009 and is now waiting to see how much energy the school will save as a result of the ventilation upgrades to Malott and Haworth halls and lighting upgrades made across campus. In 2009, KU entered into a $25
million contract with Energy Solutions Professionals, of Overland Park, to conduct the audit and make initial upgrades that KANSAS created energyefficient savings. UNIVERSITY In addition to the ventilation work and lighting fixture upgrades in more than 40 campus buildings, some work was done to conserve water, too, said
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the improvements in Malott and Haworth, he said. He said that while the improvements would be cheaper if KU did them without ESP’s assistance, the bonds used to pay for the improvements are only possible because of the company’s guarantee of a revenue source to pay them back. “You’re paying an increased cost for a reduced risk,” Riat said. Still, Riat said KU may incur Please see ENERGY, page 2A
Please see K-10, page 2A
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Doug Riat, director of facilities operations and planning at KU. As part of the contract, the company is guaranteeing that KU will realize at least $2 million in energy savings from the audit. Riat said the university and ESP will soon discuss when to start tabulating the energy savings based on when the work is completely done. The company is paid out of the initial $25 million cost and does not receive a portion of the savings, Riat said. The largest cost was for
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TOPEKA — Carie Lawrence, the grandmother of 5-year-old Cainan Shutt, who was killed in a traffic accident on Kansas Highway 10 last year, urged legislators on Wednesday to approve a bill that would double fines on the highway. Before the accident last year, “We had a good life,” Lawrence said. Now, she said, the family is devastated. “You can make a difference,” Lawrence told the Senate Transportation Committee. “Pass this bill.” Cainan’s mother, Ali Cainan Shutt was Shutt, sat in the killed last April audience. She in an accident had planned on K-10. to speak to the committee, but her emotions took over and she couldn’t bring herself to talk. After the hearing, the committee took Senate Bill 342 under advisement. The measure would allow the Kansas Department of Transportation to designate safety corridors on busy stretches of roads that have numerous crashes. In those corridors, signs would be posted warning motorists that traffic fines for moving violations would be doubled along the route. The additional funds collected from the fines would be turned over to the state for enhanced enforcement, signing, education and other safety strategies along the corridors. KDOT proposes designating K-10 and U.S. Highway 54 through Wichita as safety corridors. Last April, a car driven by 24-year-old Ryan Pittman crossed from the eastbound to westbound lanes on K-10 near Eudora and struck a minivan in which Cainan was riding. Both Pittman and Cainan died. A toxicology report indicated that Pittman tested positive for a therapeutic level of methadone, an elevated level of tramadol and the active components of marijuana.
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COMING FRIDAY We’ll report from Gov. Sam Brownback’s talk at KU on human trafficking.
Vol.154/No.33 20 pages
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