To the editor:

Rich Lorenzo (Public Forum, June 16) decried as “unconstitutional” the recent order by the Kansas Supreme Court that the Kansas Legislature increase the budget for education. In doing so, he labeled the court as the “Sebelius court” no less than six times in three paragraphs. Unless you live in south Lawrence or Baldwin, you might not remember that Lorenzo ran as a Republican for the 10th District in the Kansas House in 2004.

Since Mr. Lorenzo is not from Kansas (he’s a native of Miami), perhaps he doesn’t know that the governor appoints a justice from a list of three qualified individuals submitted by the Supreme Court Nominating Commission.

In fact, a 1956 constitutional amendment was passed by Kansans to assure the nonpartisan selection of justices. As an additional check to the selection process, after a year on the bench a new justice is subject to a retention vote in the next general election.

Of the seven recent justices, four were appointed by Republican governors and three were appointed by Democratic governors. One of the Democratic appointments was made by Sebelius. All have been, or will be, subject to a retention vote. Why, Mr. Lorenzo, is this the “Sebelius court”? Your rhetoric smells all too familiar coming from the right wing of the Kansas Republican Party.

You blame the “activist judges” and you blame the Democratic governor (if you’re fortunate to have one). Very convenient, but the court and governor’ s office are hardly in the position of playing the spoiler in Kansas politics. Remember, Mr. Lorenzo, Kansas is a very “red” state.

Jerry Whistler,

Lawrence