Kansas Republican House Speaker Mike O'Neal of Hutchinson is defending the Legislature's speedy action on bills addressing social issues such as abortion, as opposed to its actions on the state's economy. Democrats say GOP lawmakers are breaking campaign pledges to address jobs...but O'Neal says longstanding legislative rules force social issues to the beginning of the session.
Last Friday was the first of many major deadlines facing this session of the Legislature. It saw movement on a number of issues important to many Republicans, including abortion restrictions, election isses, and the selection of state court judges.