(Syndicated to Kansas newspapers Dec. 1, 2014)
This may be the year that again proves—more dramatically than in recent years—that the most powerful person in the Kansas Statehouse is the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Yes, the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
We all learned in grade school that the governor is the top position in Kansas government, but it’s different this year.
There are keys to that House power that will be clearly defined not just Monday when House Speaker Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell, was reelected to a second term at the chamber’s top spot but also will become apparent in the next week or so.
Things are different this year in the apportionment of power within the Statehouse for several reasons.