Blog

Bill to expand judicial impeachment threatens balance of power

“Nonetheless, at [Sen.] Holmes’ request, the Senate Judiciary Committee introduced a bill Tuesday that spells out additional grounds for impeachment, including breach of the public trust or judicial ethics and ‘attempting to subvert fundamental laws and introduce arbitrary power.’ The bill also specifically targets ‘attempting to usurp the power of the legislative or executive branch.’ “That last provision opens wide the opportunity for two branches of the Kansas governor to gang up on the other in arbitrary, unethical and damaging ways. For instance, the governor and some legislators have been highly critical of Supreme Court rulings on funding...
Read more Leave a Comment

Abrams funding proposal flawed

There were hearings on Sen. Abrams’ proposed school funding plan earlier this week. We agree with the assessment in this editorial. “Districts would receive ‘success’ ratings based on the number of graduates who within two years earned an industry certification, completed basic military training, enrolled in a third consecutive semester at a college or worked at a job earning an income of at least 250 percent of the poverty level ($29,425). “How are districts supposed to keep track of all their graduates, many of whom may move to other communities or out of state? That could be a...
Read more Leave a Comment

Governor signs block grant bill

We find it appropriate that the governor signed the block grant bill repealing the current school funding formula in a closed ceremony yesterday with no teachers, students, school board members or superintendents. Only legislative leadership stood with him, and they didn’t even notify the press until after 6 pm. “David Reber, a teacher from the Lawrence school district, posted this on the governor’s Facebook page: ‘Governor, I’m curious. Why did you sign this bill … behind closed doors, with no advanced notice, and no invitation for the press or any outsiders? “’If this is so good for schools,...
Read more Leave a Comment