Seiwert
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A bill before the Kansas House would prohibit employees of universities and state colleges from using their official job titles when they contribute to newspaper opinion pieces.
The bill currently applies only to opinion pieces and letters to the editor in newspapers, not to other forms of media. It prohibits use of job titles only when the subject is an elected official, a candidate or a matter pending before a government body.
Rep. Joe Seiwert, a Republican from Pretty Prairie, told The Topeka Capital-Journal that employees of private businesses are not allowed to identify their places of work when they write an opinion for publication.
But Democratic Rep. John Carmichael of Wichita said the legislation could create constitutional problems and limit public debate.