Flickr photo by Jimmy EmersonA report released today (TUE) says there was not a “substantive violation” of the Kansas Open Meetings Act during legislative dinners held at the governor’s residence. Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor’s office investigated the meetings. The report says discussions about legislation could have violated open meetings rules. But the report says any violations were driven by ignorance of the rules and were “technical violations.” Kansas Press Association Executive Director Doug Anstaett (ANN-stat) is not satisfied with the outcome, calling the report from District Attorney Chad Taylor’s office a “hollow victory.”
Governor Sam Brownback’s office and House Speaker Mike O’Neal said in statements they are confident violations of the law had not occurred. The report recommends training for lawmakers and new protocols to help avoid future problems