The Kansas Senate is expected to vote today on a pair of Constitutional Amendments. One would change the way Kansas Supreme Court Justices are selected. The other would make it harder for lawmakers to raise taxes.
Since the 1950’s Kansas Governors have selected State Supreme Court Justices from nominees screened by a nonpartisan Commission made up of lawyers and citizens. Republican Senators say that gives lawyers too much power and for decades, they have allowed one industry or one interest group, to control an entire branch of government. One of the proposed amendments would scrap the Commission and replace it with a Senate vote on the Governor’s selection.
The other is aimed at controlling State spending. Two thirds of lawmakers would have to vote for future tax increases to put them on the books. If they make it through the Legislature, the proposed constitutional changes will appear on the August Primary Ballot.
