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Committee Chairman Ousted Amid Growing Tensions at Statehouse

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A shakeup took place in the Kansas Statehouse today (TUE). Republican state Representative John Rubin, from Shawnee, was removed as chairman of the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee after challenging Speaker Ray Merrick's handling of a bill. A group appointed to referee rules disputes determined that the Speaker had the authority to send a bill dealing with open records back to committee, to prevent a vote on expansion of casino gambling. After learning of his removal, a visibly angry Rubin stormed out of the chamber. Reporters caught up to him as he headed down the stairs to his office. 


Some lawmakers say Rubin's ouster and the public way it was handled is another indication of increasing tension at the Kansas Capitol over the state's continuing budget problems and approaching elections. Yesterday (MON), an angry discussion among Senate Republicans prompted leaders to close a caucus meeting to the media. 

 

Jim McLean, Executive Editor of KHI News Service, oversees the KHI News Service. From 2005 until 2013, McLean coordinated all communications activities at KHI as Vice President for Public Affairs. The position he now occupies was created as part of a strategic initiative to solidify the editorial and operational independence of the KHI News Service. Prior to coming to KHI, McLean had a distinguished career as a journalist, serving as the news director and Statehouse bureau chief for Kansas Public Radio and a managing editor for the Topeka Capital-Journal. During his more than 20 years in Kansas journalism, McLean won numerous awards for journalistic excellence from the Kansas Press Association, regional chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Kansas Association of Broadcasters. In 1997, McLean and two Capital-Journal colleagues received the Burton W. Marvin News Enterprise Award from the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism for a series of stories on the state’s business climate. McLean holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Washburn University.