Supporters ram coronavirus plan through Kansas Legislature

(AP) Supporters of a bipartisan plan to give Kansas lawmakers some oversight of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s response to the coronavirus pandemic have rammed it through the Republican-controlled Legislature. The Senate voted 26-12 for a bill containing a plan negotiated by Kelly and her staff with top Republican legislators. Supporters allowed no debate, cutting off any chance for opponents to amend the bill after the House passed it Wednesday night. Kelly has pledged to sign it. Republican critics do not think the bill would go far enough to prevent coronavirus-related lawsuits against nursing homes. Some Democrats complained it went too far in shielding businesses from lawsuits.