May 04, 2006

Sebelius responds to wide-ranging open records requests
Statement from Governor Kathleen Sebelius:

“Certain legislators have issued a series of open records requests concerning any communications between my office and the Supreme Court involving the school finance case.  Because those requests are numerous and broad, they will understandably take a great deal of time to respond to.  But the people of Kansas shouldn’t have to wait for staff to do their work to know the truth.  So, I’ll clear the air right now.

“First, I have never had any communication whatsoever with any Supreme Court Justice or anyone associated with the Court about the school finance case or any pending case, period.  I never have, and I never would.  Nor has any Supreme Court Justice, or anyone associated with the Court, ever had any such communication with me.

“Second, no one has ever given me any inside information about how the court might rule on the school finance case or any other case.  I have always made my decisions on school finance based on what the court has written, the two cost studies commissioned by the Legislature, and on what I believe is good public policy in the best interests of the people of Kansas.  Assuring stronger Kansas schools, now and in the future, is a matter of principle for me.  It’s as simple as that.

“Our office will, of course, work diligently to respond to the numerous open records requests we have received.  Some are inexplicably wide-ranging, even to include communication between me and members of my family.  Nevertheless, I want the people of Kansas to know that I strongly believe in the separation of powers, and will work to protect and uphold it as long as I am governor.”