(Image credit: skyways.lib.ks.us)
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House has approved a plan favored by conservative Republican leaders for redrawing the state's four congressional districts. The House's 64-51 vote Saturday sent the measure to the Senate. Senate President Steve Morris, a moderate Hugoton Republican, said he won't block a vote, but he's skeptical that the plan can pass his chamber. A key feature of the map is how it splits Lawrence, home to the University of Kansas, between two districts. The city is now divided between the 2nd District of eastern Kansas and the 3rd District, which is centered on the Kansas City metropolitan area. The most recent proposal would keep part of Lawrence in the 2nd, but place other parts of the city into the 1st District, which is mostly located in central and western Kansas, containing rural communities that are in some cases 400 miles or more away.