DA exposes obstacle to Kan. meetings complaints
An investigation into Republican Governor Sam Brownback's private dinners with lawmakers has exposed a problem that could prevent future open meetings complaints against the Kansas Legislature.
A report from Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor notes the Kansas Open Meetings Act requires government bodies to give notice of their meetings only to people or organizations requesting it in advance. If people don't ask, they can't complain about not being notified.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reported Thursday that the Legislature does not have a way to file requests to be notified of meetings that occur during its annual 90-day session.
Brownback had seven private dinners for members of 13 legislative committees in January at Cedar Crest, his official residence. Taylor concluded legislators committed technical violations of the open meetings law.