TOPEKA—Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss today announced the appointment of a 24-member “Blue Ribbon Commission” that will conduct an intensive review of state court operations and structure. The Commission’s effort will assist the Kansas Supreme Court in finding improvements in the way the courts serve Kansans.
In making the announcement, Chief Justice Nuss said, “The Commission’s recommendations will have the potential to provide the most dramatic changes to the judicial branch of government since court unification in the 1970s.”
Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Patrick D. McAnany, a former two-term chief judge of the Johnson County District Court, was appointed to chair the Commission. He has been a Judge of the Court of Appeals since 2004.
“The Supreme Court is committed to finding ways to function as efficiently as possible so that we can assure Kansans receive justice that is sensitive, compassionate, swift, and accurate,” Chief Justice Nuss said. “Additionally, this Commission will have precise information about the work of the Kansas courts that has not previously been available, thanks to a weighted caseload initiative that was launched in August.” The weighted caseload study is the first review in Kansas history to accurately measure the time and personnel required to process cases by considering such influences as case complexity, the driving time for some judges in less populated areas to travel from court to court within their district, and administrative burdens.
Chief Justice Nuss said the Blue Ribbon Commission is authorized to consider such issues as the number of court locations needed to provide Kansans access to justice, the services to be provided in each court location, hours of operation, appropriate use of technology, cost containment or reductions, and flexibility in the use of human resources. He added, though, that the Commission would not be limited to those subjects and will have authority as its work progresses to review other operational efficiencies associated with the court system.
Once the Commission completes its work, a report to the Supreme Court will be submitted. It is expected the report will contain recommendations for action the Court can take on its own authority, as well as action that may require legislative approval or state constitutional change. “We want many alternatives presented that could lead to a better system of justice in Kansas,” Chief Justice Nuss said. “We also want to ensure we are being optimum stewards of our taxpayer resources.”
Chief Justice Nuss said the Court’s appointment of the Blue Ribbon Commission, and the weighted caseload study, were in large part the result of a historic Spring 2010 in which the state’s courts were forced to close, for the first time in their nearly 150-year history, due to lack of money.
The Commission membership was appointed to reflect the wide diversity of the state’s population, both geographically and professionally. It includes appointments of one member each by Gov. Mark Parkinson, Gov.-Elect Sam Brownback, House Speaker Mike O’Neal, and Senate President Steve Morris. Their appointees are: Joseph F. Harkins, a Kansas Corporation Commission commissioner; Sam H. Sheldon, an Ottawa attorney; State Sen. Jeffrey R. King, Independence; and Gerald O. Schultz, a Garden City attorney, respectively.
During the most recent reporting period between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010, Kansas state courts handled approximately 500,000 of all types of cases, which included more than 170,000 traffic cases. There are approximately 266 judge positions and 1,590 non-judicial positions authorized for the state courts, but budget cuts require the system to currently maintain on average 75-80 vacancies, which represents about five percent of the non-judicial work force.
Committee Membership
The full membership of the Blue Ribbon Committee includes: Court of Appeals Judge Patrick McAnany, Chair, Topeka; Wyandotte County District Judge Constance Alvey, Kansas City; Bob Boaldin, of Epic Touch communications company, Elkhart; Barton County Counselor/Administrator Richard A. Boeckman, Great Bend; Wabaunsee County District Magistrate Judge Blaine A. Carter, Alma; 12th Judicial District Chief Judge Kim W. Cudney, Washington; and Graham County Clerk of the District Court Donna L. Elliott, Hill City.
Trego County District Magistrate Judge Richard Flax, Wakeeney; Kansas Corporation Commissioner Joseph F. Harkins, Topeka; Karen H. Hester, University of Kansas School of Law, Director of Career Services and Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Lawrence; Martha Hodgesmith, University of Kansas Associate Director for Disability Policy, Lawrence; State Sen. Jeffrey R. King, Independence; Susan Lynn, editor and publisher of The Iola Register, Iola; Doris Miller, Co-Owner of Rocking M Radio, Manhattan; Mike Padilla, Kansas Department of Revenue, Alcoholic Beverage Control Chief Enforcement Officer, Topeka; and Linda Parks, Attorney and Managing Partner, Hite, Fanning & Honeyman, Wichita;
Reginald Robinson, Washburn University School of Law Professor, Topeka; Gerald O. Schultz, Attorney, Garden City; Sam H. Sheldon, Haley Title Company attorney and owner, Ottawa; State Sen. John Vratil, Overland Park; Finney County Attorney John P. Wheeler, Jr., Garden City; Calvin Williams, Attorney, Colby; Sam Williams, managing partner/CPA, Sullivan Higdon & Sink, Wichita; and Riley County District Judge Meryl D. Wilson, Manhattan.