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Special session interrupts work of lawmakers who farm
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)--The state's first special legislative session in more than 15 years has interrupted the summer plans of many lawmakers.
But the callback to deal with a court mandate to increase education funding presents a special inconvenience for lawmakers in this rural state who double as farmers.
Some 19 members of the Legislature can make such a claim, and the special session couldn't have come at a busier time.
"Late June is our peak workload," said House Minority Leader Dennis McKinney, D-Greensburg. McKinney is usually busy harvesting Wheat and planting milo this time of year.
The special session called by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is to begin June 22. Lawmakers have been given a July 1 deadline by the state Supreme Court to come up with a plan to increase school funding by $143 million.
McKinney would normally be hard at work on his farm south of Greensburg in the southern Kansas county of Kiowa. This year, he'll have count on neighbors and hired help instead.
He says he isn't frustrated by the special session, though.
"It's my duty and my job," he said.
Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, has made plans to deal with the special session, but he's hopeful it won't drag on until the July 1 deadline.
"I hope we can finish in four or five days, but there is no way of knowing for sure," he said. "The only surprise in the legislative process is that there are no surprises."
Sen. Dennis Pyle, R-Hiawatha, said farmers who run for office know it's possible their agricultural duties may have to take a back seat.
"I always knew it was a possibility when I ran," he said. "I will do my job as a senator and take care of my job as a farmer when I get home."
Date: 6/23/05
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