Last week a bill was proposed in the Kansas House of Representatives that would have given the governor more control over Supreme Court appointments. But the measure died Thursday, reports The Kansas City Star. The bill would have amended the Kansas constitution and given the governor full authority to select justices, subject to Senate confirmation.
The current system utilizes a nominating commission to choose justices. The house favored the proposal 68-54, but failed to get a two-thirds majority. Thus, the measure fell 16 votes short. Opponents of the bill said the current commission system produces more qualified candidates.
Gov. Brownback and Republican leaders have struggled to gain control of the state’s judiciary, with whom they have often ideological differences. State GOP leaders have recently opposed Supreme Court rulings on a variety of issues, including school finance, the death penalty and abortion.
