Heads up, Kansas. The push to consolidate power, make our courts prey to the same money and political pressures impacting the other two branches of our government and eliminate the ability of our courts to protect our public schools has advanced another step.

“Kansans would either elect state Supreme Court justices or governors and legislators would have more power in deciding who sits on the high court under rival proposals advancing in the Legislature.

“Both proposals approved by the House Judiciary Committee this week would amend the state constitution to scrap the current system, in which a lawyer-led nominating commission screens applicants for each vacancy. The commission picks three finalists, and the governor must choose one, with no role for lawmakers…

“A proposal to amend the state constitution must be adopted by two-thirds majorities in each chamber, then approved by a simple majority of voters in a statewide election.”

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/fb003756fe3941569c9e3dd11e1368f7/KS–Picking-Justices