Letter to the editor: Kansas Legislature discussed abortion amendment with care

Hearing conduct

I read with concern The Kansas City Star Editorial Board’s disparagement of the Kansas Legislature when it wrote about recent hearings on the amendment to abolish Kansans’ right to personal autonomy, including the right to abortion. (Jan. 24, 8A, “On abortion amendment, Kansas lawmakers were not serious”)

Most observers in the room marveled at the Legislature’s ability to address a contentious and emotional issue, in a packed hearing room in a thoughtful way, and with everyone wanting to address the joint committee getting an opportunity to be heard.

When a witness disparages the strict scrutiny standard of constitutional review (the same standard that allows the editorial board to disparage the work of the committee) based on an obscure 50-year-old law review note, it’s the committee’s job to inquire.

When a falling microphone was caught before striking a legislator directly across the table from me, I’m glad the spontaneous exclamation “Good job!” came out of my mouth rather than one not fit for your family newspaper.

In short, these were serious hearings where important testimony on a very important question was heard in a very short period of time. The press should defend the Bill of Rights, and in particular the strict scrutiny standard, which protects the right to insult legislators who are trying to do their jobs under difficult circumstances.

- Kansas state Rep. John Carmichael, ranking member, Kansas House Judiciary Committee, Wichita