Kansas vintage
A breath of warmer climates will come to Emporia this weekend when the Kansas Grape Growers and Wine Makers Association gathers at Emporia State University for its annual convention. The Friday and Saturday meeting will include much information on wine making and the commercial cultivation of grapes. Friday evening, there will be a competition for amateur wine makers.
The association lists among its members 10 vineyards and nine wineries.
Paying for speed?
TOPEKA — A Kansas senator wants speeding turnpike drivers to pay more in tolls.
David Haley has introduced a bill that would allow the Kansas Turnpike Authority to charge tolls based on a driver’s speed. Fast drivers traveling on the turnpike would be charged more than a flat rate.
“Every time the KTA has categorically raised tolls, I wince,” said Haley, a Democrat from Wyandotte County. “I say there has got to be something that is conduct-based, which is what this legislation would provide.”
Haley’s proposal, introduced ahead of the legislative session, has been floated before in Kansas. A similar bill pushed by Haley in 2007 didn’t make it to a committee hearing. The latest toll proposal faces opposition, too.
“It’s meddling where I don’t think it’s necessary,” said Republican Rep. Gary Hayzlett, of Lakin, vice chairman of the Turnpike Authority board and chairman of the House Transportation Committee.