'Mrs. YoMama' politician retires as Kan. Legislature ends

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Feb. 18, 2012 - Kansas Speaker of the House Mike O'Neal. Image from http://www.reponeal.com/
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Posted: 06/01/2012

By: Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas House Speaker Mike O'Neal is retiring from office.

O'Neal, a Hutchinson Republican, announced his retirement Friday as legislators gathered for the legislature's formal end. He was first elected in 1984.

He was no stranger to controversy this year. He sent an email that was interpreted as praying for President Obama's death, referred to First Lady Michelle Obama as “Mrs. YoMama” and compared her to the Grinch.

The House and Senate adjourned the regular session May 20.

This year's regular session produced changes in Kansas tax policies and the pension program for state workers.

But the Legislature failed to carry out one of the year's major tasks -- drawing new boundaries for districts of the Kansas House and Senate, the State Board of Education and the four congressional districts.

The job of drawing new maps is now in the hands of a three-judge federal panel in Kansas City, Kan., which concluded on Wednesday.