District Court Judge Sues Kansas Over Law That Weakens Courts

Brennan Center
District Court Judge Sues Kansas Over Law That Weakens Courts

This week, Larry T. Solomon, Chief Judge for the Thirtieth Judicial District in Kansas, filed suit against the state of Kansas, arguing that a recent law that weakens the Kansas Supreme Court’s administrative authority over district courts is unconstitutional, reports Bryan Lowry of The Wichita Eagle. http://www.brennancenter.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=78392&qid=3716332 Gov. Sam Brownback (R) signed the bill into law last spring after the supreme court ruled against the state in a public education funding case. The legislation removes the Kansas Supreme Court’s administrative authority over local court budgets and the selection of local chief judges. Many see this move as retaliation for the court’s school funding ruling last year. “Not only is this law a clear attempt to punish the high court for an unpopular decision, it also stands in violation of the separation of powers doctrine,” said Ryan Wright, Executive Director of Kansans for Fair Courts. “Judges should be free of political pressures and decide cases impartially based on the facts and the law. They should not have to worry that their decisions could be used against them for political gain.” Judge Solomon is represented by Irigonegaray & Associates, Kaye Scholer LLP, and the Brennan Center for Justice.  

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