Former Kansas speaker of the house dies

PAOLA (KSNT) - A former Kansas speaker of the House of Representatives died this morning at a facility in Paola.

According to a House of Representatives spokeswoman, Miami County native Marvin William Barkis passed away in a care facility this morning at the age of 81 years old. Barkis represented Miami County from 1978 to 1992. In 1984 he was elected by his colleagues to be the Minority Leader of the House from 1984 to 1990. In 1990 Barkis was selected to be the Speaker of the House. He held the position until 1992.

Barkis was the third Democrat in Kansas history to hold the top position in the House. Barkis faced inherent difficulties with a 63 to 62 majority, Kansas House of Representatives spokeswoman Alexis Simmons said.

"The subsequent revisions restored the constitutionality of the law and have withstood the tests of time and multiple court challenges 30 plus years later. In addition, significant property tax reforms were adopted and presented to the voters who approved a constitutional amendment to reduce property tax pressure on homeowners," Simmons said.

Barkis is survived by his wife Kay Barkis and three children: his daughter Anne and sons Will and John, their spouses and 5 grandchildren; and by his sister Marita Barkis.

"Barkis read widely, traveled broadly and will be remembered for his love of his family and friends, and for his deep belief in the importance of civic participation and justice," Simmons said.

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