TOPEKA — The Topeka Capital-Journal reported that State Rep. TerriLois Gregory, R-Baldwin City, tried to secretly record a private conversation with a Topeka senator in her Capitol office last week. Sen. Vicki Schmidt, R-Topeka, told the paper she spotted the flashing light of the recorder hidden in Gregory’s satchel while they were discussing state Medicaid payments for people with disabilities. Sshe saids Gregory didn’t ask permission to record her. Schmidt ended the conversation. She told the paper that Gregory later tried to make amends but didn’t offer a clear apology. In a written statement, Gregory told the Capital-Journal she didn’t mean to offend Schmidt but merely wanted to be sure she got her facts straight on an issue of great concern to her. Both Republican and Democratic senators said although there’s no law against secretly recording fellow lawmakers, they think Gregory crossed the line. The Senate Republican leaders told other senators to be on the guard against being secretly recorded by other legislators. The warning has pointed significance because Republican conservatives have targeted moderate Republican senators, including Schmidt. Conservative House Speaker Mike O’Neal defended Gregory, who is a conservative who’s closely allied with O’Neal.
