Jan 11 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Scott Rothschild Journal-World, Lawrence, Kan.

The rejection of coal-burning power plants in western Kansas will cause aftershocks throughout the upcoming legislative session, Douglas County legislators told residents Thursday.

"A lot of things will be held hostage," state Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, told about 75 people who attended the meeting at the Dole Institute of Politics.

Lawmakers start the legislative session Monday.

One of the key issues expected to spark debate was the decision by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' administration to deny permits for two coal-burning plants near Holcomb because of concerns about carbon dioxide emissions and global warming.

The plants would have been located in an area represented by House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, and Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton.

Both legislative leaders have been highly critical of the rejection, and some lawmakers have expressed fears that legislative business will grind to a halt until the Legislature adopts some kind of measure seeking to reverse the decision or limit the powers of the executive branch.

Neufeld's office has denied he intends to delay legislative business to push through a bill related to the coal plants.

And on Thursday, Sebelius said she has been meeting with Neufeld and Morris to discuss energy issues. Sebelius said she has a "great deal of concern" about the power needs of western Kansas.

At the Dole Institute meeting, state Sen. Roger Pine, R-Lawrence, was asked if he had heard of plans to tie up legislative business to focus on the coal plant decision.

He said he hadn't and added, "That does not sound like a good approach."

But he and other lawmakers said energy issues will take up significant time during the session.

State Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, said lawmakers must work on issues to help western Kansas develop economically. While the rejection of the coal plants will help Kansans statewide, she said, the Holcomb area took an economic hit.

Other major issues expected to dominate debate include health care, teacher pay, the budget and illegal immigration, the legislators said.

The meeting was sponsored by the American Association of University Women. Legislators who attended were Reps. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, Ann Mah, D-Topeka, Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, and Ballard, Francisco and Pine.