Budget Battle Over Kansas Courts Now a Federal Case

(AP) – The fight over a move by the Legislature to defund the Kansas judiciary’s budget has now landed in the federal courts.
A court notice shows Kansas has moved the lawsuit filed by four judges to U.S. District Court in Topeka.
The attorney representing the judges said Monday he is confident that whether it is heard in state or federal court the measure defunding the courts would be found unconstitutional. No decision has been made on whether to oppose the venue change.
Legislation passed this year nullifies the judicial branch’s entire budget if a 2014 law stripping the Kansas Supreme Court of its ability to appoint chief judges is struck down.
Kansas contends the lawsuit raises a federal due process claim.
The case is now before U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree.