Democrats urge Kansas lawmakers to force special session

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Legislature's top Democrats are urging their colleagues to force Republican Gov. Sam Brownback to call a special session on education funding.

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka and House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs of Kansas City said Monday that lawmakers need to boost aid to poor school districts to keep all public schools from being shut down.

They were joined by Democratic Rep. Jim Ward of Wichita.

The state Supreme Court late last month rejected school funding changes made by lawmakers earlier this year and said schools won't be able to reopen after June 30 unless legislators approve additional fixes before then.

Legislators adjourned their annual session last week.

Legislators can force Brownback to call a special session if two-thirds of them sign individual petitions demanding one.

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The Gayly - 6/7/2016 @12:47 p.m. CDT