Kan. Disaster Bill Advances in Senate

A bill providing $12 million over three years to help flood and tornado damaged rural communities rebuild gained first-round approval Tuesday in the Senate. A final vote of approval sends the bill to the House.

Starting in the fourth year, the $4 million annual grants would be available to any rural community to help with housing needs.

The money for the first year would come from the state general fund, and after that it would come from casino revenues. Last year, lawmakers authorized four resort casinos in the state, but it will be years before any is operating.