Kansas GOP slams Easter order

The governor called it heartbreaking, but the state legislature said it was lawbreaking. As Kansas tries to contain its growing number of COVID-19 cases, Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday extended her executive order banning public gatherings of 10 or more people to church services and funerals. The Democrat said the order “brings me the greatest sadness” of any she has issued in her time as governor, but it was necessary. Not so, said the Republican-controlled legislature, which voted to overturn the executive action.

Why did Republicans balk? Most churches and their members had already decided not to worship together in person on Easter Sunday. State Senate President Susan Wagle called the order an executive overreach and an unnecessary threat to religious freedom. Because of procedural questions, it is unclear whether the governor’s order remains in effect.

Dig deeper: Read Steve West’s report in Liberties about the tension between stay-at-home orders and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.