TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Gov. Sam Brownback has vetoed a bill strengthening the Kansas bank commissioner’s regulatory authority because it also would shift power over hiring and salaries away from the governor’s office.
It’s the second time this month the Republican governor vetoed an obscure bill approved by the GOP-controlled Legislature with bipartisan support. The first bill dealt with barbering regulations.
Brownback rejected the banking bill last week. His office didn’t announce the action, but The Associated Press obtained a copy of his veto message Monday.
The governor said most of the bill represented good policy. But he objected to provisions giving the commissioner independent authority to hire more of his staff and set their salaries.
Brownback said the bill would limit the governor’s ability to run the executive branch efficiently
