Kansas Judge Selection Gains National Attention
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The debate about how Kansas picks judges for its Court of Appeals has spilled well beyond the state's borders. Two Washington D.C.-based groups weighed in following the Kansas Senate's confirmation last week of Governor Sam Brownback's chief counsel to the appeals court. In a fundraising email, Justice at Stake describes the change as a "power grab" by Brownback and his allies. But the Judicial Crisis Network took out a full-page ad in The Topeka Capital-Journal praising Caleb Stegall's confirmation.
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Senate GOP Leader Welcomes Judge Controversy
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce says the debate over confirming Governor Sam Brownback's chief counsel to the state Court of Appeals became a "public spectacle." And, as far as the Republican leader from Hutchinson is concerned, "That's good." Caleb Stegall was the first appointee under a law that took effect in July and changed the selection process for judges.
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Former Budget Director Joins Think Tank
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Former Kansas Budget Director Steve Anderson is going to work for a think tank that advocates tax cuts and lower school funding. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the certified public accountant will have a consulting role with the Wichita-based Kansas Policy Institute.