Topeka ? Senators adopted a resolution Wednesday designed to give the Republican-controlled Legislature a greater voice in ongoing school finance litigation before the Kansas Supreme Court.

On a 30-10 party line vote, the resolution authorizes legislative leaders to hire counsel to represent the Legislature in the case, currently set for a hearing on May 11. Action by only one chamber was required.

Lawyers hired by Atty. Gen. Phill Kline have represented legislators and the state since a coalition of school districts sued in Shawnee County in 1999.

Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt said if legislators were going to be accountable for the $127 million school finance package they recently approved, they should have their own attorney in court.

“It is appropriate as an institution to have our own unique voice heard in the litigation,” said Schmidt, R-Independence.