Today the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission is holding a hearing to consider changes to its rules regarding confidentiality. James Meier of Lawrence has experience with these rules, as he relates in Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission in need of reform. Following is the testimony that Meier will deliver at the hearing this afternoon. Continue reading Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission hearing today

James Meier of Lawrence tells of the trouble (that’s an understatement) he had trying to file an ethics complaint, and of a catch-22 that needs fixing. This story has been told on a Kansas conservative mailing list. Meier prepared this version as a special for Voice For Liberty in Wichita readers. Continue reading Special: Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission in need of reform

In a victory for free political speech, Kristian Van Meteren has prevailed over the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission.

Reporting by Tim Carpenter of the Topeka Capital-Journal is State ethics fine reversed. The Kansas Meadowlark has reporting, including the Kansas Attorney General’s opinion, in Attorney General Says Kansas Ethics Confidentiality Rules are Unconstitutional. Kansas Liberty coverage is Ethics Commission caves on Van Meteren charge. I saw no coverage in the Wichita Eagle. Continue reading Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission Rebuked

The Kansas Meadowlark has more coverage of a Kansas case with troubling implications: “The legal conflict in this case is between Kansas law and confidentiality of an ethics complaint, and the U.S. Constitution’s 1st amendment right to free speech. Oddly in this case, the one making the complaint, is the one being fined. This has a a chilling effect on free speech, and one’s right to bring a grievance against the government.” See the post More Info on Van Meteren “Free Speech” Ethics Case. Continue reading Update on Kansas ethics case

The Kansas Meadowlark reports on a troubling situation at the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission. As reported in the story, Kansans may be faced with two unpleasant options: If you uncover corruption of violations of campaign finance statutes, you will be forced to choose between two difficult options. 1. Either turn the matter over to the Ethics Commission and surrender your right to ever discuss the matter publicly again and risk having the Ethics Commission bury the matter forever; or 2. Preserve your right to discuss the matter freely but forego seeing the matter investigated and justice served. The entire story … Continue reading Free Speech May Cost Kansas Citizen $7500