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.