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Do coal plants increase health costs?

By Staff | Jan 17, 2007

(Harris News Service) Chair says coal-fired plants increase health costs: The public pays higher health-care costs due to air pollution of coal-fired power plants, Senate Utilities Chairman Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg said Tuesday. But he won’t be joining environmental groups in calling for a halt to plans for building more coal-burning generators in the state.

(Wichita Eagle) Lawmaker eyes early presidential primary: Kansas, long a backwater of presidential politics, could have one of the earliest primaries in the nation under a bill introduced Tuesday by Sen. Phil Journey, R-Haysville.

(LJW) Seniors in line for tax cuts: Senior citizens likely will receive some tax breaks from the Legislature this session. A reduction for some Social Security recipients appears headed for quick approval, and another proposal unveiled Tuesday would provide property tax relief to the elderly.

(LJW) Officials air out energy plan: State energy officials Tuesday urged lawmakers to adopt measures to increase wind energy and promote conservation.

(AP) Protection of fetuses sought: Prompted by last year’s murder of a pregnant Wichita teenager, legislators are renewing their push for a law aimed at protecting mothers-to-be and the fetuses they are carrying.

(Topeka Capital-Journal) Demos unveil agenda: House Democrats added their voice Tuesday to debates on health care, energy, taxes and a half dozen other topics certain to be part of the 2007 legislative landscape.

(Topeka Capital-Journal) Organ transplant guidelines considered: The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony Tuesday in support of a bill that also is being heard in other states and would create nationwide uniformity for organ transplant procedures.

(KTKA) Voters would need photo ID: In 1993, Kansas lawmakers passed a bill to require voters to show some form of ID at the polls. Governor Kathleen Sebelius vetoed the bill, and the legislature couldn’t garner enough support to override that veto. Now, supporters of the measure say it’s time to try again.

(Wichita Eagle) Proposed rules aimed at young drivers: A Kansas Department of Transportation task force wants to make it illegal for teens under 18 to talk on cell phones while driving.

(Kansas Health Institute News Service) Bill aimed at health care access: State Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, has introduced a bill aimed at requiring health insurers to cover telemedicine.