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Paper: Chanute Tribune, The (KS)

Date: June 30, 2007

Lawrence Journal-World, on Kansas University Hospital Authority:

Sometimes the law doesn't have all of the answers.

The opinion Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison issued last week on appointments to the KU Hospital Authority offers clear guidance on some issues, but it leaves room for legal debate on others.

It now is up to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and the KU Hospital Authority board to decide whether they will continue to debate these issues ...

The advice of the two ranking legislators on the Senate Confirmations Oversight Committee seems sound: Start the process over and work it out. ...

Although most Kansans would agree with that sentiment, putting the "bickering and disputes" aside in this argument won't be easy. It will require some good faith and compromise on both sides.

Among the questions left open to debate is how slates of nominees are submitted to the governor. ...

The governor should agree to act on those nominations quickly even though Morrison concluded that the statute places no limit on how long she can consider appointments after slates are submitted.

Representatives of the hospital and the governor's office also were quick to stake out territory on another vague issue in the AG's opinion: whether or not Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson is a member of the board. ...

It's good that the attorney general's opinion was sought because it clarifies some issues that even the Hospital Authority and the governor's office didn't seem to fully grasp a couple of months ago.

But, along with the legal advice, Morrison's opinion also refers to the use of "common sense" and the need to "abide by the spirit of the law" in resolving this conflict. ...

All involved should take advantage of that opportunity and resolve these issues for the benefit of both KU Hospital and the state.

The Wichita Eagle, on redistricting:

Before another round of redistricting invites another fight, state leaders should find a better way.

The last thing Kansas needs is a sequel to 2002, when the congressional map landed in federal court and threatened to postpone the August primary.

As it is, too few legislative districts see contested races, let alone competitive ones. Too few fit the criteria that districts be "easily identifiable and understandable" to voters.

And with its fracture of Lawrence and separation of Junction City and Fort Riley, the current congressional map defies the idea of "communities of interest," as well as the commonsense guideline that districts be compact and contiguous.

Plus, some GOP legislative leaders can be expected to use their redistricting power to fight the Kansas Democratic Party's recent resurgence, especially in the 2nd Congressional District. Things could get ugly. ...

And national reformers this month launched "The Redistricting Game" - at the Web site redistrictinggame.org - to raise awareness about what ails the states' decennial redrawing of districts. ...

If another constitutional amendment is too much for Kansas, lawmakers should commit to wielding their remapping pen with care and fairness, and a minimum of self-serving strokes.

The Kansas City Star, on court ruling on smoking ban:

In a victory for clean air in public places, the Kansas Supreme Court has found that tough smoking bans are completely legal.

Cities and counties throughout the state now should move aggressively to protect their residents from the harmful effects of smoke, especially in bars and restaurants.

Unfortunately, elected officials in Wyandotte County, Shawnee and some other Kansas cities have refused to pass smoke-free laws in recent years while waiting for a decision by the Supreme Court on a Lawrence case.

In that city, a bar owner had claimed the Lawrence City Commission exceeded its authority in approving a law that took effect in 2004. It restricts smoking in all public places, including bars and restaurants.

On Friday, the Supreme Court released its unanimous finding that local governments essentially could "regulate smoking in public places to the maximum extent possible." It's now absolutely clear that elected officials have the legal authority to restrict smoking in businesses.

While Wyandotte County and Shawnee have led the list of dawdlers when it comes to healthier air, a few other cities forged ahead.

Olathe took the lead, passing a smoking ban that's now in effect. Overland Park and Leawood have approved comprehensive ordinances that will take effect in January.

Fairway, Mission Woods and Roeland Park also moved to protect residents with smoke-free ordinances. The court's recent decision means that all of these laws will remain on the books.

With its admirable decision, the state Supreme Court has eliminated one of the big excuses by opponents of smoking bans in Kansas.