TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) —Top Republican legislators are accusing the Kansas Supreme Court of issuing its latest education funding ruling to help justices survive attempts to oust them in the November election.

Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce said Wednesday that he believes the court is trying to shift voters’ attention away from unpopular past decisions that struck down death sentences in capital murder cases.

House Speaker Ray Merrick also said the school funding decision was political.

The court did not respond to a request for comment.

The court on Friday rejected some education funding changes approved by legislators earlier this year and warned that schools won’t reopen if lawmakers don’t make additional fixes to help poor school districts by June 30.

Five of the court’s seven justices face yes-or-no retention votes in November.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) —Republican leaders in the Kansas Senate have abandoned an effort to pass legislation to respond to the state Supreme Court’s latest decision on education funding.

Senate President Susan Wagle and Majority Leader Terry Bruce said there would be no debate Wednesday after it became clear during a meeting of GOP senators that they were deeply split.

The Legislature convened Wednesday for the ceremony formally adjourning its annual session.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback would have to call a special session for lawmakers to approve additional education funding changes. But some GOP senators want to defy the court.

The court on Friday rejected some education funding changes made earlier this year and warned that public schools will be unable to reopen again if legislators don’t act by June 30.