WWW arkcity.net

By DAVE SEATON
Staff Writer

Rep. Ed Trimmer, D-Winfield, voted Wednesday for a bill to make English the state's official language because it included $500,000 for adult education in English as a second language.

"My vote was because we got the piece for adult education," Trimmer said.

Rep. Kasha Kelley, R-Arkansas City, who also voted for the bill, said she will be glad to see English established in statute as the state's official language.

"I think it's a very good bill that accomplishes a lot of what a lot of my constituents want," Kelly said.

Trimmer said he was responding to a Courier editorial Wednesday that criticized the House, including him, for backing the bill. It advanced to final passage on a 188-2 vote.

The measure would allow state agencies to provide documents and hold meetings using English only, but would not require this.

Trimmer said spokespeople for state agencies assured him they would continue to use Spanish where it was needed to communicate with citizens.

It was obvious, Trimmer said, that the bill was going to pass, so he joined efforts to make it less burdensome on non-English speakers. Those efforts succeeded in adding a requirement for interpreters in meetings and "active promotion" of English classes, as well as authorizing the funds for them.

Kelley said she, too, welcomed provisions in the bill to allow the use of other languages where necessary. "It doesn't injure those who don't speak English," she said. "It's not hurting anybody who doesn't have English as their first language."

In the end, even if the Senate also approves the bill, which is considered likely, it may make little or no difference, Trimmer said. "I don't think it affects anything," he said.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Don Myers, R-Derby.

Supporters already had made several concessions to lessen opposition to the measure. While state and local government agencies would have no obligation to provide documents or hold public meetings in any language other than English, the heavily amended bill wouldn't preclude it either.

A few House members thought the bill represented a hollow gesture designed to mollify Kansans angry about illegal immigration. Then, on a voice vote, the House added $500,000 for programs that help adults learn English.

The measure would make Kansas the 29th state in which English has been declared the official or common language by law, constitutional provision or court ruling.