Kobach's Sidelines

Steve Rose in the new KC Star News Magazine for Johnson County decries Kris Kobach's income from sources outside of his Kansas Secretary of State office. Steve's point is that the work ethic of one holding a major state office is questionable when outside income is substantial and may even exceed the state salary. But, it's not illegal. That's why Kansas House Minority Leader Paul Davis is said to have introduced a bill to curb outside employment by state-wide officers or department heads. Steve says the need for the bill points out the abuse and bad precedent associated with Kobach's law practice and other consulting efforts. However, the fact that the Statement of Financial Interests, which the Secretary of State and other state officers are required to file, mandates reporting of outside income is a backhanded endorsement of outside work income. All the more reason for new restrictions on outside work.