(AP)-- Republican Jeff Colyer promised a "new day" of openness shortly after taking the oath Wednesday as Kansas' governor, addressing the public and a GOP-controlled Legislature that is deeply divided over a court order to increase state spending on public schools.
Colyer, the state's longest-serving lieutenant governor, replaced former GOP Gov. Sam Brownback immediately after Brownback stepped down to become U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. Colyer, a 57-year-old surgeon, took the oath for his new office in a ceremony inside the Statehouse.
Colyer largely avoided policy issues in his inaugural address. He is expected to give a longer and more detailed speech to a joint session of the Legislature in the near future.
But ahead of the ceremony, a top Republican lawmaker urged him to push for a long-term settlement of ongoing legal battles over education funding that led to the Kansas Supreme Court's mandate.
Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, who is influential among GOP conservatives, said Colyer should either support rewriting the state constitution or initiate settlement talks with four school districts suing the state.
© Associated Press
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Atchison apt fire claim's toddler's life, injures others
Four arrested for illegal activity on Kickapoo Reservation
Two search warrants, two Horton homes, two arrests
Whiting woman pleads to theft of fire dept. funds
Wetmore man arrested on child sex-related charge
One injured in Nemaha Co wreck
Flags across KS to fly half-staff Sunday
Walnut Township Treasurer removed; votes unofficial until canvass
Two men arrested in Jackson Co for distribute of meth
TX man to stand trial on charges in fatal Jackson Co crash
Local judge files for re-election
Atchison in running for national fireworks honors
Bridge work begins Wed in Doniphan Co
Latest Brown, Doniphan Co filings
Planned outage for Brown-Atchison Electric Tuesday
Motorcyclist injured in Holt Co MO crash
Commission takes action related to bridge project
LATEST STORIES
Chiefs' Butker named Keynote Speaker for BC Commencement
Two stop legislative coffee talks set for Saturday
BC's Pate remembered by students, college family
Falls City Council approves permit for goats in city limits
Grant awarded to Falls City Library and Arts Center
Nebraska City man to serve on Peru State College Foundation Board
Fairfax man injured in tractor accident in Atchison County MO
Doniphan Co Commission approves zoning change