Kansas Legislature unable to fix school funding

Republican leaders in the Kansas Senate have abandoned an effort to pass legislation to respond to the state Supreme Court's latest decision on education funding.

Senate President Susan Wagle and Majority Leader Terry Bruce said there would be no debate Wednesday after it became clear during a meeting of GOP senators that they were deeply split.

The Legislature convened Wednesday for the ceremony formally adjourning its annual session.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback would have to call a special session for lawmakers to approve additional education funding changes. But some GOP senators want to defy the court.

"Kansas has great schools and they should remain open," the Governor said. "The Courts should not be playing politics with our children’s education.”

The court on Friday rejected some education funding changes made earlier this year and warned that public schools will be unable to reopen again if legislators don't act by June 30.