Supreme Court amendment questions. School funding. Research dollars.

By Clay Wirestone | opinion editor

TOPEKA — Johnson County District Judge Robert Wonnell gave thought when applying for a vacancy on the Kansas Supreme Court to the proposed constitutional amendment that could transform the selection of justices serving on the state’s highest court.

He said no one should expect him to transform into a foot-stomping candidate eager to battle rivals with attack ads and make promises about the outcome of issues before the court.

“If I were selected to serve on the Supreme Court, and if the process were to change, I don’t know that I am capable or could become a political animal,” he said.

The amendment on the Aug. 4 ballot would erase the current merit-selection system in place since 1958. The process has relied on a nine-member Supreme Court Nominating Commission to interview applicants and submit a list of finalists to governors. The existing approach in Kansas requires Supreme Court justices to stand for retention after serving one year on the bench. If a majority of votes are cast to retain a justice, that individual remains for a term of six years.

TOPEKA — A Lawrence second grade teacher said educators in the beginning their careers would suffer if the state cut paraprofessionals, a move suggested by a presenter to the task force working on Kansas’ next school finance formula.

After the meeting last week, Lori Greenfield of Prairie Park Elementary said new teachers depend on behavioral specialists and classroom assistants.

TOPEKA — A Kansas healthcare leader and a U.S. Representative are questioning why funding needed to continue essential scientific research isn’t being paid out.

“More than halfway through fiscal 2026, the National Institutes of Health has allocated only 33% of the $26 billion it normally awards to universities,” wrote University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod with Ron Daniels, Johns Hopkins University president, in a Wall Street Journal column in May.

By Mark McCormick

When President Trump floated the idea of a nearly $2 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” for people “horribly treated” by the federal government, he inadvertently reopened the debate about reparations for Black Americans.

Suddenly, in a galling case of white grievance envy, it’s not such a far-fetched idea.

TOPEKA — Corporate income tax collections in Kansas have almost halved since last year, while other sources trend above estimates, according to a new state revenue report.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House passed a resolution Wednesday to force President Donald Trump to withdraw from the war with Iran and require congressional approval for further military action in the country.

Ahead of the November midterm elections, President Donald Trump and his Republican allies have demanded Congress pass sweeping voting restrictions, including showing proof of citizenship to register — all in the name of election security.

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