House Speaker Mike O'Neal speaking on the House floor. (Photo by Stephen Koranda)
The Kansas House has rejected a controversial congressional map that would have put part of Wyandotte County in the big 1st District of western Kansas. Lawmakers voted to replace that map with a proposal from Republican Representative Tom Arpke (ARP-key), of Salina. Arpke said the original map made too many changes to the 1st District.
Arpke’s map more closely resembles the current congressional map, but it would significantly change the 4th District around Wichita. That district would now stretch farther east to the Missouri border. House Speaker Mike O’Neal opposed the plan.
The House could take a final vote on the map as soon as tomorrow (WED). A conference committee will then have to smooth out differences between maps passed by the House and Senate.