Ljworld.com readers will have the opportunity to ask questions of Kansas House Speaker Doug Mays in a live online chat this afternoon.

The chat will begin at 3 p.m., but readers may submit questions early, then join the chat live or read the transcript later. (Submit a question early.)

Mays, who is in his third session as House Speaker, is arguably the most powerful legislator in the Statehouse. He appoints the House committee chairs and controls the ebb and flow of legislation in the House. A Republican from Topeka, Mays is seen by political observers as a possible GOP candidate for governor in 2006.

Mays, who has served in the House since 1993, has been opposed to tax increases and favors a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.