TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A court mandate to boost spending on Kansas public schools and problems in state prisons, mental hospitals and child foster care confront Republican Jeff Colyer as he takes the Kansas governor's office and navigates tricky political currents.

The Republican is being elevated from lieutenant governor because of departing GOP Gov. Sam Brownback's appointment by President Donald Trump as U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

Here are some of the issues Colyer will quickly face:

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SCHOOL FUNDING

The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in October that school fun...