TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas legislators plan to take an unusually long spring break before returning to wrap up business this year.
House Speaker Ray Merrick of Stilwell said Monday the change is part of efforts by his fellow Republican leaders to shorten the time in session from the traditional 90 days to 80 or even fewer.
The House and Senate will begin the annual break April 6. Normally they would be gone 2.5 weeks and return April 24. But this year, they’ll reconvene May 8.
By then, Merrick says, any deadlines for Gov. Sam Brownback to veto bills will have passed. Merrick says the goal is to limit the wrap-up session after the break to considering vetoes.
The schedule also would allow lawmakers to attend two national conferences. Merrick said that’s a coincidence.
