Governor Sam Brownback speaks with reporters Monday at the Statehouse. (Photo by Stephen Koranda)Republican Governor Sam Brownback and the Democratic Shawnee County district attorney continue to disagree about some alleged violations of the Kansas Open Meetings Act. Brownback held a series of legislative dinners at Cedar Crest earlier this year. More than 90 lawmakers, virtually all Republicans, were invited. As KPR’s Stephen Koranda reports, the investigation looked at whether the legislative dinners violated the open meetings act.
Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor’s office investigated the meetings. In a report released last week, his staff said it was “more probable than not” that the open meetings law was violated. Speaking to reporters, Taylor said less serious, technical violations had occurred. He suspected more serious violations took place, but that couldn’t be proven. Governor Sam Brownback told reporters yesterday (MON) that he doesn’t agree that any violations took place.
“I disagree with it. I’ve disagreed with that from the outset. We took precautions. That’s what I stated to you and that’s what he found in his discussion, is there were precautions that were taken.”
Brownback says he may not hold similar legislative meetings in the future. Taylor recommended training for lawmakers and new procedures to help avoid violations of the open meetings law.