Brownback calls court rulings ‘politically driven’

Gov. Sam Brownback contends that three court rulings last week were “politically driven,” and he renewed his call to make the judicial-selection process “more democratic.” In an e-mail message to fellow Kansans, Brownback criticized a district court ruling blocking the state’s new abortion law and a district court panel finding that the state’s new school funding plan is unconstitutional. He also blasted the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage. “Activist courts should not overrule the people of this state,” he said. But Rep. John Carmichael, D-Wichita, responded that the courts provide a needed check and balance to the other branches of government. “We have to be careful when the executive branch fails to respect the decision of the courts,” Carmichael said. – Phillip Brownlee