Kansas Dems file complaint against House speaker

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Top Democrats filed a complaint Friday in the Kansas House against its Republican speaker, accusing him of misconduct for representing businesses, trade groups and insurance funds in a lawsuit against the state.

The Democrats said Speaker Mike O'Neal's involvement in the lawsuit as an attorney creates conflicts of interest for the Hutchinson Republican as a legislator. His clients in the case include the Kansas Bankers Association, the Kansas Realtors Association and a Wichita company doing business as Speedy Cash.

O'Neal called the complaint "bizarre" and said Democrats have not shown any instance in which he influenced legislation on behalf of one of his clients in the lawsuit.

"There's just nothing substantive here," O'Neal told reporters during a news conference. "They're shooting blanks."

Six House Democrats, led by Minority Leader Paul Davis, of Lawrence, submitted the complaint to the House's chief clerk. The chamber's rules will force the appointment of a committee of three Republicans and three Democrats to review it.

Under those rules, the appointments will be made by Speaker Pro Tem Arlen Siegfreid, an Olathe Republican, who plans to announce them Monday. The House last appointed a committee to investigate a member's conduct in 1951.

------ Kan. faces lawsuit over cuts in social services

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Advocates for the mentally disabled asked Kansas' highest court Friday to reverse cuts in social services imposed by the state to keep its current budget balanced, while the judicial branch wrestled with its own financial problems.

Attorneys filed a lawsuit with the Kansas Supreme Court on behalf of three disabled Kansans, three groups serving the mentally disabled and InterHab Inc., which represents service providers. They're attacking almost $10 million in cuts imposed by Gov. Mark Parkinson and legislators.

The petition asks the court to order the state to reverse the cuts before the state's current fiscal year ends on June 30. The litigation could complicate efforts to keep current budget balanced and erase a projected shortfall for the next fiscal year.

Only hours later, the Supreme Court announced that it courts will close statewide three extra days in April and one extra day in May because of a funding shortfall for the judicial branch. Employees will be required to take unpaid leave.

But advocates for the disabled contend the cuts in social services violate state and federal laws and a section of the Kansas Constitution that says institutions for the disabled "shall be fostered" by the state. Also, they said during a Statehouse news conference, the cuts are hurting disabled Kansans and their families.

Nancy Spano, of Topeka, said her 24-year-old daughter, Heather, previously was monitored around-the-clock but is now left alone overnight in her apartment, causing emotional problems. The disabled young woman also has lost dental coverage, Spano said.

------ Kan., Neb. sign driver's license pact

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Kansas and Nebraska regulators have signed an agreement letting farmers drive trucks across the state line without having a commercial driver's license.

The two states already let farmers drive trucks under certain conditions without commercial licenses.

The agreement announced Friday by the Kansas Corporation Commission means they don't have to worry about straying into the neighboring state.

Farmers must have valid driver's licenses and use the trucks only to transport agriculture products, supplies or machinery to or from their property.

------ Parkinson signs Kansas smoking ban

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Parkinson has signed Kansas' first statewide smoking ban, hailing it as victory for people concerned about clean air.

Parkinson made the ban official Friday during a Statehouse ceremony. The ban takes effect on July 1.

Parkinson said the law was the work of a bipartisan coalition in the House and Senate, as well as numerous doctors, nurses and health professionals.

The law bans smoking in restaurants, bars, offices and other public places. It specifically exempts state-owned and operated casinos, which the governor said was hypocritical. He said it would be appropriate for the state to change that exemption in the future.

Health officials estimate that 4,000 Kansans die from smoking-related disease every year, about 300 through exposure to secondhand smoke.

------ Funeral for Hartford AD set for Saturday

EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) -- Funeral services are Saturday for a longtime teacher and counselor in the Emporia area who died in a one-vehicle crash in eastern Kansas.

Don Roberts died Wednesday night in the accident on Kansas Highway 99 near Olpe. He was 53.

Roberts was counselor and athletic director at Neosho Rapids Elementary and Hartford High schools. He was also the public address voice for the Lyon County League Tournament and other activities.

The Lyon County sheriff's office said Roberts was thrown from his SUV after it went off the west side of the road and rolled over. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

South Lyon County Superintendent Mike Argabright says Roberts' death is a "tragic loss" for the school district.

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------ 2 men charged in crime spree around Baxter Springs

COLUMBUS, Kan. (AP) -- Two Cherokee County men have been charged with a string of crimes in and around Baxter Springs that included a burglary, vandalism and arson.

Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves says 18-year-old Johnny Robinson III and 19-year-old Brandon Youngblood of Riverton were charged Wednesday with four counts of arson, one count each of contributing to a child's misconduct and burglary and eight counts of criminal damage.

Groves says the damage occurred Feb. 27-28. He says investigators believe some juveniles were with the men.

The damage included an attempt to burn down a concession stand, burglarizing a home, driving through yards and smashing several mailboxes.

Groves says he expects more people to be charged.

Robinson and Youngblood are jailed in Cherokee County on $100,000 bond. Their next court date is April 12.