Monday, April 23, 2012
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has told Gov. Sam Brownback and legislative leaders that failing to agree on a congressional redistricting plan could prove expensive for the state.
Schmidt says in a letter that if there is no agreement, the state is likely to face litigation, and Kansas could be forced to pay the legal fees of anyone who sues.
That happened in 1982, when legislators approved a U.S. House redistricting plan that was vetoed by then-Gov. John Carlin. Two groups of residents sued the state, and a panel of federal judges drew new lines. The state faced $27,000 in legal fees.
The Associated Press obtained a copy Schmidt's letter Monday. It's dated Friday and urges quick action on redistricting after lawmakers reconvene this week following a long break.
