© 2024 KMUW
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
00000179-cdc6-d978-adfd-cfc6d7d40002Coverage of the issues, races and people shaping Kansas elections in 2016, including statewide coverage in partnership with KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, and High Plains Public Radio.

Several Kansas Lawmakers Withdraw Ahead Of Filing Deadline

Stephen Koranda, File Photo
/
Kansas Public Radio

Several veteran Kansas lawmakers announced their retirements ahead of June 1 noon filing deadline. And as Jim McLean reports, Kansas voters may decide to retire others.

At least 23 House and Senate members aren’t running for re-election, including two of the top three leaders in the House and several committee chairs.

Some are saying it was just time to step down. But others say the state’s ongoing budget problems have simply worn them out.

Rep. Tom Moxley, a moderate Republican from Council Grove, referenced the budget mess in his farewell to House colleagues.

“The past four years of budget woes has given new meaning to the words ‘bleeding Kansas,'” Moxley said.

The budget problems and the spending cuts lawmakers are forcing to highways, universities and Medicaid are expected to be big issues in an election year in which all 165 legislative seats will be up for grabs.