Farm groups stymie reorganization of Kansas water programs

By JOHN HANNA
AP Political Writer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Powerful Kansas agriculture groups have blocked a bipartisan proposal to tie a big increase in funding for water conservation programs to a reorganization of state and local agencies that regulate water use. The House Water Committee on Tuesday reviewed a 283-page measure that consolidated water programs under a new state water department and boosted funding for water programs. But the committee approved a narrower bill to boost funding by $49 million a year without the reorganization. Groups like the Kansas Farm Bureau and Kansas Livestock Association opposed the reorganization, questioning whether it would improve conservation efforts. The narrower measure goes next to the full House for debate.