Lawmakers face hotbed of political drama in ’08

Publication Date: 2008-01-04

• Author:Scott Rothschild
• Publication:The Lawrence Journal-World

Lawmakers returning for their legislative session Jan. 14 will spend more than three months hammering out new laws and building records to show off on the campaign trail.

Awaiting their arrival in the Statehouse are health care reforms, increased spending requests for education and social services, numerous hot-button items, and a new political atmosphere...

Two proposals will generate the most headlines — a proposed increase in the cigarette tax of 50 cents per pack, and a statewide ban on smoking in public, indoor places.