Kansas courts could use more sunshine

Absent any new information, the brief lunch discussion about school finance between Kansas Supreme Court justice Lawton Nuss (in photo) and two state senators appears to be an isolated, dumb mistake, not the grand conspiracy promoted by some court critics. But the controversy highlights how difficult it can be to get information from the judiciary.
The high court turned down an open records request from a state senator seeking to determine whether the lunch meeting really was an isolated incident. And the Kansas Commission on Judicial Qualifications isn’t allowing cameras or tape recorders when it reviews the Nuss case, as is its regular policy.
The judiciary needs to recognize that secrecy breeds mistrust. Conversely, as Randy Brown, executive director of the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government, told The Topeka Capital-Journal: “The more access they have, the better it is for the public, the better it is for the Supreme Court.”
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

3 Comments

  1. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted June 21, 2006 at 6:09 am | Permalink

    So why do we expect better from the supremes than we do our elected legislators? How many of the Wichita delegation voted against the KPA proposals for more sunshine in government?

    We elect the leggies and THEY wont open their secret meetings. They want you to buy LUNCH for them in order to meet with the delegation. But the courts…. hehehe? Get a rope.

    I wonder who will be the first apologist here, who will be the first to make this about the gov’s race? Ruby? Sotheysaid? some new one hit wonder?

    Maybe Nathan, since the murder of the pregnant 14 year old became a thread about how the governor is an abortion lover. NOT, but hey, dont let the facts stand in your way.

    So who will be the first republican apologist here? This story is yet another conservative spin that gets no traction.

  2. Joe Blow
    Posted June 21, 2006 at 6:53 am | Permalink

    Or you’ll get another lash with this wet noodle!-Eagle

  3. Marty Venick
    Posted June 21, 2006 at 9:04 am | Permalink

    It’s interesting how this court thing has been no big deal and everbody concerned about it is an idiot for caring – until they deny the press what they want – Then we have a problem. Get over yourselves!