Whitmer, Carpenter serving legislative transparency

Gratitude is due the two area lawmakers, Reps. John Whitmer, R-Wichita, and Blake Carpenter, R-Derby, who co-sponsored a bill to allow live audio streaming of legislative committee hearings and led it to 118-0 approval in the House. Similar proposals in recent years had cleared only the Senate, which now needs to approve House Bill 2573 to make it possible for Kansans to listen in next session on committee hearings via the Internet. Costs would include $117,800 to equip 13 committee rooms with audio streaming technology, and implementation would involve the Information Network of Kansas. If the Senate acts, it will be easier to hear, if not watch, the 2017 Legislature’s work. – Rhonda Holman

This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 7:06 PM.