Print edition: 
Democratic leaders in the Kansas House filed a formal complaint Friday against Speaker Mike O'Neal over the Hutchinson Republican's legal work on behalf of business groups suing the state.
A six-member legislative panel will investigate the complaint and forward any recommended response to the House for a vote. O'Neal could face punishment ranging from nothing to expulsion from the chamber he leads.
O'Neal again denied any wrongdoing Friday and said Democrats are trying to create a distraction from more important Statehouse issues.
O'Neal, an attorney, represents a coalition of businesses and trade groups suing the state over a 2009 legislative budgeting decision. To balance the budget, lawmakers voted to dip into funds set up for professional regulatory agencies. O'Neal's clients — the Kansas Bankers Association, Kansas Association of Realtors and others — represent professionals who pay dues to support those regulatory funds.
Democrats call O'Neal's work a conflict of interest, saying they fear he could use his power as speaker to benefit his clients. Earlier, they called on O'Neal to drop the case. His refusal prompted the complaint, according to House Minority Leader Paul Davis.
"This behavior simply doesn't pass the smell test," Davis said."... The public should have the expectation that we are working on their behalf, and not on the behalf of special interests."
O'Neal voted against raiding the regulatory funds. He notes that no legislative rule blocks him from taking the case, and that Davis himself is a partner in a law firm challenging a state cap on legal damages. He said representing clients in a suit against the state while being speaker is no different from lawmakers who are teachers voting on education bills.
O'Neal vowed to stay out of the investigation. He said Democrats are attempting to undermine his leadership and distract lawmakers form dealing with the state's financial crisis.
"It's an attempt to distract," he said. "There's just nothing substantive here. They're shooting blanks."
The six-member committee will be made up of three Democrats and three Republicans. The speaker pro tem, Republican Rep. Arlen Siegfreid of Olathe, will pick the members.
Siegfreid plans to announce them Monday. In a statement he said he'll pick "members that are well respected by both sides of the aisle."
