Print edition: 
Privatizing —There's nothing wrong with looking at a variety of ways to trim the state budget, but a move toward outsourcing government services to private companies is something that should be approached with caution. The Kansas Legislature is being asked to consider a bill that would set up a special committee to investigate opportunities to outsource certain government services to private companies. In some cases that may be true, but, again, the state should be cautious in outsourcing certain government responsibilities. Kansas already has privatized certain services, but before taking any additional steps in that direction, officials must make sure that a private company not only can provide the needed service to the state's satisfaction but also that turning that service over to a private contractor actually will save the state money.— Lawrence Journal-World
Tiahrt — In the race for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate, Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, seems to be his own worst enemy. The press has made much of Tiahrt's suggestion that Rep. Jerry Moran, his opponent, has been endorsed by the Communist Party. This is nonsense. Now New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg blames the Fort Hood shootings, in part, on Tiahrt's amendment to restrict exchanges of gun registries. That may be nonsense, too. But polls show Moran is maintaining a wide lead by keeping quiet.— Winfield Daily Courier
Coach salaries — Even if KU football coach Mark Mangino and his players had lived up to their preseason ratings, it would still have been appropriate to ask why, in the name of all that is reasonable and proper, did KU pay a coach $2 million a year — and promise to do so for three years running? The answer appears to be that star coaches who produce star teams bring in tons of money through ticket sales, commercial endorsements and, primarily, television revenue. It is all about money. It doesn't appear to matter that the coaches at powerhouse schools earn more than the combined value of the scholarships their players are provided. Or that they earn six times or more what their universities pay their chief executives.— Iola Register
Armories — The latest round of cuts has led Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting to announce plans to close 18 of the state's 56 National Guard armories. Consolidation of operations always is worthy of consideration in the face of budget woes and economic uncertainty. In this instance, though, the question is whether the potential savings outweigh the impact on troops and their communities.— Garden City Telegram
Problem gamblers — It's unfortunate that at least one northeast Kansas casino has announced it can no longer manage a growing list of problem gamblers who'd asked to be kept away from the gaming tables and machines. The Golden Eagle Casino's general manager, Steve Dole, said the list of self-banned gamblers had grown to hundreds of people and had become unmanageable. It certainly seems plausible that the casino faces a growing degree of difficulty in enforcing the list. In fact, since casinos aren't required to check identification of all visitors, it's hard to see how the prohibition agreement could feasibly be honored in all cases at all times. But the situation is troubling, as it points to a growing problem with gambling addiction — a problem casinos should continue to help combat. —Topeka Capital-Journal
