Sunday, April 19, 2020

Kansas gov dealt setback on church shutdowns

A federal judge last night granted an order temporarily restraining Kansas from enforcing Gov. Laura Kelly's church shutdown order. The state's top court last week gave the Democratic governor's order the all-clear.

"Today's judicial ruling is a much-needed reminder that the Constitution is not under a stay-home order and the Bill of Rights cannot be quarantined," said Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican.

U.S. District Judge John W. Broomes issued the restraining order.

Schmidt had said previously that while Kelly's order was “sound public-health advice that Kansans should follow,” he was discouraging law enforcement agencies and prosecutors statewide from attempting to enforce the requirements. The pushback came with the question of constitutionality.

The lawsuit was filed by First Baptist Church in Dodge City and Calvary Baptist Church in Junction City and their pastors after the Kansas Supreme Court upheld Kelly's right to issue the edict without the consent of a panel of lawmakers, all of whom were Republican.

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