Kris Kobach’s office says a House effort to stop him from using state money to pay fines for being found in contempt of court is illegal. A top lawyer in the secretary of state’s office condemned the Republican-controlled House’s decision to put the prohibition in its most recent budget. In a letter to legislative leaders obtained by McClatchy, senior counsel Sue Becker raised potential problems with the budget requirement. “(The) proviso is illegal and would require the State to expend significant resources in any futile attempt to defend it,” the letter says.
The budget move was offered by Rep. Russ Jennings, R-Lakin. He said last week the stipulation would prohibit using any state money for defense or penalties involved in a finding of a contempt of court by statewide elected officials. That would include the governor and the secretary of state.
The change passed, 103-16, and the House budget was later passed. It is not known whether the budget line will survive negotiations between the House and Senate.
“I’m sick of reading about our state level, statewide elected official being in court for contempt,” Jennings said on Friday. “…We’re not paying the bill for him.”
Full Article: Kobach’s office: Stopping him from paying contempt fine with state money ‘illegal’ | The Kansas City Star.