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“Another issue, Schmidt said, is the state’s attack on the judiciary, with ‘Jeff King as the point man.’ “King, a Republican from Independence, was reported to say they should ‘just approve judges that will vote the way we want them to,’ Schmidt said. He added King led the drive to change the way judges are appointed, in an attempt to allow the governor to choose judges who would rule the way the governor wants. Fortunately, he said, there were enough reasonable Republicans who stopped the bill. “’The whole reason they were trying to do it is because they...

Public school supporters need to be court supporters, too. Please understand this bill is directly related to school funding decisions going against the state. “’Why do we want to pass a bill that inappropriately violates the separation of powers upon which we rely to avoid tyranny?’ Irogoneriary said. ‘I suggest to you the bill’s political motivation should be seen for what it is. It’s a power grab. It’s attempt to control every aspect of our government by those who are presently in control.’ “Efforts to advance a constitutional amendment that would change the way justices are selected failed...

“Rep. Melissa Rooker, R-Fairway, a moderate whose district includes Shawnee Mission schools, said the governor and legislative leaders make it seem as if the state has only two options: take money from certain districts or defy the court and risk closing schools. “’It’s being framed as an either/or proposition and it isn’t,’ she said. ‘… We have door number 3. We’re not limited.’ “Rooker recommended that lawmakers develop a plan that holds school districts like hers harmless for one year. Under this proposal, Wichita and other districts could receive equalization aid, but districts such as Shawnee Mission would...