The Kansas Senate has postponed debate on a
bill for redrawing its 40 districts after an angry meeting of
majority Republicans.
Senators now plan to debate the measure Wednesday. It is backed
by the chamber’s moderate Republicans, and conservatives contend
it’s designed to keep the Senate’s moderate GOP leaders in power.
The Senate had planned to debate the measure Tuesday. But during
a caucus of Republican senators, conservatives attacked the plan
and peppered Reapportionment Committee Chairman Tim Owens with
hostile questions.
Owens, a moderate Overland Park Republican, angrily walked out.
Senate President Steve Morris, a Hugoton Republican, said the
debate on the bill was being delayed to give GOP factions a chance
to compromise.
The impasse threatens to delay the state’s August 7th primary
election.
