TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House has rejected a proposal that would have given Governor Sam Brownback more clout in deciding who is nominated for the Kansas Supreme Court. The measure was criticized by some lawyers who said it would have damaged the separation of powers between the branches of government. The House voted 57-56 against the proposal Saturday. The state's high court judges are chosen by a commission consisting of five attorneys elected by other lawyers and four members selected by the governor. Currently the chief justice appoints the replacements for the chairperson or lawyers who resign before their terms are up. The bill would have allowed the governor to appoint the replacements instead. The failed move comes amid protests from conservative lawmakers over court rulings against the state on school funding and death penalty verdicts.
