Area/State Colby Free Press Monday, September 28, 2009 Page 3 Weather Kansas’ budget woes are likely to outlast recession Corner From “BUDGET,” Page 1 tax dollars into the system — and probably finance last week came from a meeting cies. They also question whether the courts will be forced to raise taxes. Dodge City and Liberal school officials had would — or whether they even can — force expenses over the next 25 years was $8.3 But State Treasurer Dennis McKinney, a with Wichita lawyer Alan Rupe and asso- the state to raise taxes to keep promises it billion. Democrat who serves on the retirement sys- ciates who’ve sued the state successfully now can’t afford. A University of Kansas report declared tem’s board, said new pension plans would before. The previous lawsuit was filed in The Supreme Court believed it had the the system “bankrupt.” Many state officials require startup funds. And, he said, the state 1999, and Kansas Supreme Court orders in power in 2005 and 2006 to tell legislators think that’s overstating the case, and say an still will be required to fund the old plans 2005 and 2006 forced dramatic increases in exactly how much they were required to improved economy is likely to shrink the because employees can’t be forced to give aid to public schools. increase education funding. Some Repub- gap as the system’s investment earnings re- them up. With its budget problems this year, the licans wanted to defy the court, but other cover. But a multi-billion-dollar shortfall is But if McKinney and other critics of the state backtracked and cut base aid to schools Republican leaders and Gov. Kathleen likely to remain unless the state acts. KU report don’t see the need to overhaul almost 5 percent. Rupe and some educators Sebelius, a Democrat, did not. the system, they do see a need for the state believe the state is violating the Supreme As for talking about a lawsuit now, House National Weather Service The report suggested moving toward Tonight: Clear, with a low 401(k)-style plans for government workers, to deal with the long-term funding gap. Court’s past orders, but the attorney said Appropriations Committee Chairman Kev- around 39. Calm wind becom- and away from plans that guarantee ben- “We still have to make up for that lack of no decisions have been made about a new in Yoder, an Overland Park Republican, ing southeast between 5 and 10 efits up front, regardless of the pension sys- funding that wasn’t put in there in the past,” lawsuit. said, “The purpose of that is to put political mph. tem’s ultimate ability to pay. Without fun- said Dennis Phillips, a retired Topeka fire Republican legislative leaders note that pressure on legislators.” Tuesday: Sunny, with a high damental reform, the report said, the state chief and chairman of a retirees’ coalition. many parts of the budget saw bigger cuts And such pressures aren’t going away for near 77. Breezy, with a south is doomed to pour ever-greater amounts of Meanwhile, rumblings about school than schools, including public safety agen- a while, even with an improved economy. wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to between 20 and 25 mph. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Prevention Center offers programs for new dads Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. South wind By Aubrey Spencer order to be a great dad 24 hours a gin with the A.M. program. If the ing,” Dr. Romine said. ports Mom and helps her in her around 15 mph. Colby Free Press day, seven days a week. Both pro- response is mostly dads with older The program gives dads the role, without losing himself or his Wednesday: Mostly sunny, [email protected] grams cover universal aspects of children, the program will be the tools to become more hands-on, place in the family.” with a high near 85. Breezy, with The Regional Prevention Cen- fatherhood so that men of all cul- P.M. one. All who are interested in he said. Campbell, Keck, and Romine a south wind 10 to 15 mph in- ter of Northwest Kansas is offer- tures, races, religions, and back- either program are encouraged to “Everyone knows the term ‘soc- all agreed that 24/7 Dad is an ex- creasing to between 20 and 25 ing two new fatherhood programs, grounds can benefit. attend the first session, however. cer mom.’ We would like there to citing program that really does of- mph. Winds could gust as high “24/7 Dad A.M.” and “24/7 Dad The six-week class will be at 7 The subject matter and identity be ‘soccer dads.’ fer valuable tools that dads need as 30 mph. P.M.,” beginning Tuesday, Oct. 6. p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, points will be a little different for “Unfortunately, a lot of dads for home improvement. They said Wednesday Night: A 30 per- The A.M. program is a basic starting Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the each program, facilitators Romine have been left out of the loop of there are so many outside influ- cent chance of showers and fathering program geared toward First Presbyterian Church in Col- and Keck said. being hands-on,” he said. “We ences affecting kids today, and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy the expectant father or the father by. Facilitators will be Dr. W.G. The class will be an interaction want to help dads become more they want the primary influence to and breezy, low around 55. of young children. The P.M. pro- Romine II, pastor of Redeeming and discussion format, said Keck. hands-on and more involved in be fathers and mothers. They said Thursday: A slight chance of gram is a more in-depth program, Love Ministries Regional Church, It will be structured to what works activities. they are glad to be involved with showers. Mostly cloudy, with a focusing on experienced dads with and David Keck, owner of True best for those involved, he said. “We hope the program helps the program and are excited to do high near 62. Chance of precipi- several children or teenagers. Value. There is no cost to partici- “We want to bring fathers a men come away a better dad, a their part in helping to accomplish tation is 20 percent. Paige Campbell, Community pate in the class. Deadline for reg- broad understanding of parent- more involved dad, one who sup- that goal. Thursday Night: A 20 per- Consultant with the Prevention istration is Thursday, Oct. 8. Call cent chance of showers. Partly Center and contact person for the Paige Campbell at the prevention cloudy, with a low around 39. program, said they are excited to center, 460-8177, to register. Friday: Mostly sunny, with a bring this nationally known fa- Campbell said the center will high near 62. therhood program to Colby. offer two different sessions, the LOCAL TV LISTINGS Friday Night: Mostly clear, “We look forward to seeing dads first in October and November, with a low around 38. getting together with other dads,” the second beginning in January. sponsored by the Saturday: Sunny, with a high Campbell said, “providing a sup- The first session to be offered will near 71. port network and a place where be the one with the highest reg- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, they can be comfortable.” istration. If the majority of those with a low around 43. Both programs focus on five who sign up are new dads or dads Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a characteristics a father needs in with young children, they will be- high near 68. Friday: High, 63; Low 42 Saturday: High, 80; Low 45 Sunday: High, 83; Low 35 Kansas National Guard Tuesday Evening September 29, 2009 Precip: Friday 0.04 inches 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 KAKE/ABC Shark Tank Dancing-Stars the forgotten Local Nightline Jimmy Kimmel Live Saturday 0.00 inches faces chaplain shortage KBSL/CBS NCIS NCIS: Los Angeles The Good Wife Local Late Show-Letterman Late Late Sunday 0.00 inches KSNK/NBC The Biggest Loser The Jay Leno Show Local Tonight Show Late Nigh Month: 1.55 inches TOPEKA (AP) — Finding are deployed for several months at KSAS/FOX Hell's Kitchen You Can Dance Local Year: 22.08 inches enough chaplains to minister to a time. Cable Channels Normal: 17.71 inches troops has become a difficult task. The Rev. Don Davidson, rector A & E The First 48 Manhunter Manhunter Manhunter Manhunter Manhunter Manhunter The First 48 (K-State Experiment Station) The Kansas Air National Guard of St. David’s Episcopal Church AMC Any Given Sunday Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang Sunrise and Sunset ANIM Monsters Inside Me Weird Weird Lost Tape Lost Tape Weird Weird Lost Tape Lost Tape has two of its six chaplain posi- in Topeka and the head of the BRAVO Flipping Out Flipping Out Flipping Out Flipping Out Top Chef: Las Vegas Tuesday 7:39 a.m. 7:29 p.m. tions unfilled, while the Kansas Kansas National Guard’s chaplain Wednesday 7:40 a.m. 7:28 p.m. CMT The Singing Bee Overboard Smarter Smarter Overboard Army National Guard is faring program, said the shortage has re- CNN Campbell Brown Larry King Live Anderson Cooper 360 Larry King Live (U.S. Naval Observatory) worse with nine of 15 slots va- sulted in chaplains facing repeated COMEDY Scrubs Scrubs S.