Kansas legislators have opened their annual session with new leaders in the Senate, new lawmakers in a quarter of the seats and a top Republican acknowledging that he's asked for extra security. The 90-day session began amid the COVID-19 pandemic and under the shadow of last week's mob violence in Washington.
House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., an Olathe Republican, said he has asked for extra security from the Kansas Highway Patrol. A spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly said her office is taking all potential threats seriously.
The Senate's top leaders were all new to their jobs, and 42 lawmakers were new to their seats.
