Kansas governor bypasses lawmakers, creates child advocate

(AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly has created an independent office to review complaints against Kansas’ foster care system and recommend changes in child welfare policies. 

Her order Monday establishing the new agency fulfills a longtime goal of advocates for abused and neglected children. 

The Democratic governor’s move to create the office by executive order also bypasses the Republican-controlled Legislature. 

It deadlocked on the issue earlier this year after some lawmakers pushed to put the new office under the state attorney general. 

Some Democrats saw that as a partisan move because Attorney General Derek Schmidt is widely expected to be the GOP nominee challenging Kelly next year.