Government

More than 1,000 advocates for the developmentally disabled are rallying at the Kansas Statehouse to urge officials to maintain the current system for providing services.

The Kansas House's top Democrat says he doubts supporters of changing the process for selecting state Supreme Court justices can muster enough support to get a measure passed.

The chairmen of the Kansas House and Senate Judiciary committees say they're still pursuing changes in how state Supreme Court justices are selected.

Senator Jeff King of Independence and Representative Lance Kinzer of Olathe said Tuesday that they're working on a compromise for changing the state constitution to alter the selection system.

The Senate has approved the measure, which would change the to have the governor appoint the justices, subject to Senate confirmation.

Gov. Sam Brownback is continuing his statewide tour aimed at building support for protecting cuts to the Kansas higher education system.

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach says he is close to winning legislative approval for new power for his office to investigate and prosecute election fraud cases. 

Secretary of State Kobach said Friday he's optimistic lawmakers will approve the bill when they reconvene this week to wrap up their business for the year.

The House and Senate have approved different versions of Kobach's bill, setting up negotiations over the final version. Lead House negotiator Lance Kinzer said Kobach's proposal is on track to pass.