GOP pushes changes in how top Kansas court spots are filled

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservatives have revived their longstanding efforts to change Kansas Supreme Court justices are selected. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved two rival proposals to amend the Kansas Constitution to change how Supreme Court justices are selected. The measures go to the full Senate for debate. One proposal would have the governor nominate new justices and require their confirmation by the Senate. The other would have prospective justices run in partisan statewide elections. The current selection process has a lawyer-led commission nominate three finalists for each vacancy and the governor make the appointment, with no role for lawmakers. Conservatives see the current selection process as not transparent enough.