Among the initial reactions to Attorney General Paul Morrison’s resignation was this from House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls: “It may be time for the Legislature to review the procedure for filling vacancies in statewide offices.â€
Bet he wouldn’t say that if the Kansas GOP had managed to elect a governor in this decade. Don’t be surprised, though, if Neufeld’s notion gets some legislative attention in 2008, especially if Republicans dislike Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ choice to succeed Morrison.
But there is no reason beyond politics to change current procedure for filling statewide vacancies. Neufeld’s thinking is on par with the shortsighted and shortlived legislative proposal last winter aimed at preventing Sebelius from naming a successor to Republican Sen. Sam Brownback, should he win the presidency.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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21 Comments
If the Rethuglicans wanted Morrison to quit they shouldn’t bitch about him being replaced. Were they demanding a revote to fill Morrison’s empty spot that Kline took? Nope, so they are hypocrites.
Allowing Sebelius to Appoint her counterpart is allowing her too appoint a “Puppet”!! There is no checks and balance when she adds the AG into her or under her control. The AG position has Veto Rights over a Governor. If Appointed, would they buck her?? No!! Demand that she not be allowed to “Dictate/Masta”, Kansas. Demand an AG, not a Puppet!!!! I e-mailed House Speaker Nuefeld and he has refused too respond. We need to demand an impeachment review and babysit the House and Senate this 2008. If we dont, we continue to loose. Herbert West III, Publisher/Journalist west.herb@yahoo.com
Wouldn’t a change in the way the Gov. appoints the AG successor also require a change to the Kansas Constitution? Afterall, the process of filling a vacancy for this position is outlined our state constitution.
I believe in article 15 the governor is given the right to appoint a replacement should the AG not be able to fill his term in office.
Herbert West III – The legislators should impeach a Judge when by the Canon, he is BOUND to follow the laws of Kansas and he refuses to do so. Why have laws if they are violated by the people in authority that should uphold them?
The Representatives have the power to impeach – they are also the reason that we have so many judges not following the rule of law – no consequences.
time for a change……………this is about those anti-abortion” laws isn’t it?
You poeple are ridiculous.
Only District Judges and D.A.’s can be Impeached as well as AG’s, Governors etc:.. By the House of Representatives. City Judges and City Attorneys can not be Impeached by the House. Carol Greens staff fields Disciplinary Complaints against “City Judges” and Stanton Hazlett fields Disciplinary complaints against city attorneys. Stanton Hazlett also fields Disciplinary Complaints about Citizen Lawyers entered into Kansas practice also. The House of Representatives does not have the power or authority to Impeach a City Judge. They only have the power, authority to Impeach District Judges, Governors AG’s, Lt Governors etc:.. Herbert West III, Publisher/Journalist. west.herb@yahoo.com
Another of the consequences of electing a Democrat governor.
In this instance though, since Morrison was a Democrat, you can’t bitch about replacing him with another.
The Republicans should try harder winning a general election instead of settling on winning a primary and they would not have this little problem.
This is a typical topic on which one’s political affiliation determines their point of view. Rhonda Holman is a big Sebelius supporter, so naturally she wants Sebelius to appoint the AG. Others disagree, because they’re political opponents of Sebelius. And as usual the people who have never heard of civility in discourse dominate the message boards. It’s all predictable and sad.
The Attorney General is an independently elected office in Kansas, not part of an administration team as in Washington, D.C. Thus it would be more appropriate if the governor didn’t simply appoint a successor in the office. Probably the state party committee and a panel of retired judges should offer a slate of nominees from which the governor would be required to pick a name, subject to confirmation by the State Senate.
Putting the power of appointment into the governor’s hands is a result of the legislature’s assumption that Kansas would always have a Republic Party incumbant in the governor’s office.
As with so many examples of the chickens coming home to roost, the arrogance of the historically-dominant politcal party has come back to bite the Republic Party in the butt.
The only reason there are term limits for the presidency is a temporary Republic Party majority got burned by FDR winning four straight elections. Then, when Ronald Reagan (despite the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease) might have been reelected in 1988, the GOP grumbled.
The 1994 Republic Party “revolution” was won with a promise of people like Todd Tiahrt *promising* he’d only serve two terms. Ha!
I think little Rhonda would be surprised to learn that everything in our government is political. It is run by politicians and for politicians.
Besides, the Democrats in Massachusetts did the same thing when they thought Senator Kerry was going to be President.
It’s typical Repub. think, they’ll try and pass a law as long as it’s beneficial to them, and repeal it the moment it is no longer beneficial to them.
There are four ways the Kansas Attorney General could be replaced assuming the constitution/state law permitted.
1) Appointment by the Governor. This is the method established by the Kansas Constitution. I wonder if our Constitution was revised at some point to establish this system? In any case, the Kansas Constitution would have to be revised to change from this system.
This method is probably the most efficient, if not the most democratic. Presumably the Governor will consult her friends for suggestions.
2) Special state-wide election. State-wide elections are expensive.
3) Selection by a caucus or meeting of the state committee of the political party of the incumbent. This is grass-roots politics at its best.
4) Selection by the Kansas House of Representatives with approval of Kansas Senate or some variation;
5) Appointment by the Governor with approval by the Kansas Senate. This could result in a stalemate if Governor and Senate disagree but gives more elected officials participation in this selection.
Personally, I think the following elected Kansas department heads should be replaced with ONE professional FINANCE DIRECTOR to be appointed by Governor with approval by the legislature. This would eliminate the following elected positions:
** State Treasurer;
** Insurance Commissioner;
** Secretary of State.
Also eliminate the current elected Lieutenant Governor. Establish an order of succession so this position would not be needed.
I believe that the only way that the constitution of the US of a state can be changed is by a constitutional convention. Once the required procedural hoops are jumped through, and the convention called to order, ANYTHING in the constitution is subject to review and or change at the whim of those participeting. that could really open up a can of worms. As for those who seem to resent the delegated power that the governor has to appoint a new AG, How could she do any worse than the majority of the registered voters in Ks? Morrison’s penchant to force his way into the pants of his subordinants was brought up in the election, and after Morrison’s wife set “ol Phil straight, by god, that habit was conveniently ignored. Not important, just important enough to get him dismissed when he kept at it. I think Kathleen the Great will do just fine, everyone wanted someone with some b#lls in the AG’s office for a change, whoda thought that he would use em?
“Not a Morrison Fan” offers:
“I believe that the only way that the constitution of the US of a state can be changed is by a constitutional convention.”
I believe for every drop of rain a flower grows.
We’re both wrong.
Read the damned constitution, then post.
Sheesh.
I think the shark is calling for Neufeld…
I apologize for my ignorance: a 2/3 majority of the legislature OR a constitional convention can propose and vote on amendments to the Kansas state Constitution. Monkeyhawk has shown up my laziness in not checking my work, and I promise not to post procedural premise again without verifying my suppositions in fact.
Sorry.
State House Speaker Neufeld makes me laugh at his insight of the future. Ms Holman’s comment hit it “right on.” If Jim Barnet had been elected in 2006 the Speaker would have not problem with the “system.” Speaker Neufeld just sees a dreaded Democrat appointing a new A.G. and not that a Republican will be a Govenor in the future and might have to appoint someone resigning from government.
State House Speaker Neufeld makes me laugh at his insight of the future. Ms Holman’s comment hit it “right on.” If Jim Barnet had been elected in 2006 the Speaker would have not problem with the “system.” Speaker Neufeld just sees a dreaded Democrat appointing a new A.G. and not that a Republican will be a Govenor in the future and might have to appoint someone resigning from government.