(MSC New)--Coming on the heels of the resignation of Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, and the swearing in of former Lieutenant Governor Dr. Jeff Colyer to fill the position, legislation is introduced pertaining to how the Lieutenant Governor is selected.

Senator Dennis Pyle is requesting legislation to require Senate confirmation for gubernatorial appointments to that office.

The rural Hiawatha Republican, in a news release, says such oversight is needed as a matter of keeping a check on power. “Appointment without oversight is comparative to walking along a cliff in the dark, we need some sunshine to insure safety. Senate confirmation eliminates the possibility of someone stepping into the office of lieutenant governor or governor without ever having faced the scrutiny of the voters or the check on power that can be provided by those elected to represent the voters. The past and current situation make this reform a timely issue.”

The proposal is made based on the need to select a new Lieutenant Governor for Kansas.  “With Kansas facing many challenges including the pending school finance case, making sure those in positions of executive authority are accountable to the voters or their representatives is more crucial than ever,” Pyle said in the news release. 

Brownback resigned following his appointment by the United States Senate to become ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom under the Trump administration.