School funding litigation is complex. Kansans need judges who earned the responsibility to fairly and justly decide these cases, and the many other cases that impact Kansas schools and educators. Having an independent court system, where judges are appointed based on merit and the recommendations of their peers, was crucial in protecting public education during the reckless Brownback experiment. However, a bill currently under consideration in the legislature seeks to change this.
SCR 1611 proposes amending the Kansas Constitution to require Supreme Court justices to be elected in partisan elections. If passed, this amendment would force Kansas judges to campaign like politicians, seeking support from wealthy donors. The rule of law would be undermined, replaced by decisions influenced by those who financed the verdicts. Television, social media, and print media would be flooded with millions of dollars in attack ads. Partisan political megadonors, consultants, and special interest groups would gain control over the Kansas Supreme Court, and judicial independence would become a thing of the past.
The truth is, Kansas already has a system that works. Judges are selected through a merit-based process. A nonpartisan commission, representing all corners of the state, vets candidates and forwards the three most qualified individuals to the governor. The governor, elected by all Kansans, then appoints the best candidate to the bench.
SCR 1611 would eliminate the only system that has forced the Kansas Legislature to equitably and adequately fund public education. Should the bill pass, public education will eventually face the same cuts that took place during the Brownback years, and we will no longer have a fair and independent judiciary to challenge these reckless actions.
Please contact your legislator and urge them to oppose SCR 1611.
