Lawyers group lobbies against constitutional change
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Bar Association is lobbying against a proposal to overhaul the way appellate judges are selected as a vote on the measure looms in the state Senate.
Senators debated the measure Wednesday and expected to take final action. It would amend the Kansas Constitution to have the governor appoint judges to the Court of Appeals and Supreme Courts, subject to Senate confirmation.
The change scraps an attorney-led commission that screens applicants and nominates three finalists for each vacancy. The governor must pick one, with no role for legislators.
The bar association sent letters to senators arguing the current system works well. Critics call the system undemocratic.
Constitutional amendments must be adopted by two-thirds of the House and Senate and approved by a simple majority of voters in a statewide election.
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