Thank you, Representative Becker, for this explanation of your opposition to the block grant bill.

The school finance block grant bill is widely recognized as the most important vote of this session. I was the only member of the Reno County delegation to oppose it. Since I heard from so many of my constituents it is important I explain my vote.

The bill was officially determined by the House Rules Committee to be an education bill and not an appropriation bill even though the bill came out of the Appropriations Committee. A hearing was held in the Appropriations Committee. My primary reason for my vote is best illustrated by recognizing who testified at the hearing. Supporting the bill were Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Policy Institute and Kansans for Liberty. Opposing the bill were Kansas PTA, KNEA, Ks. Ass’n. of School Boards, United School Administrators, South Central Education Service Center, Shawnee Mission PTA, officials from seven USDs, plus numerous individuals representing pre-K education.

We currently have a complicated school finance formula; not beyond understanding as stated in the State of the State address, but complicated. When faced with a difficult school finance issue I seek out education professionals for guidance. It’s that simple! None of the supporters of this bill were education professionals. It is arrogant to think I know what’s best for our public schools more than public school educators and administrators.

In addition,
– no one thought it important to consult the Attorney General. He is legal counsel to the legislature. The legislature is under court order for financing the public schools. Will this bill be found adequate by the court? It is doubtful.
– The bill repeals our existing school funding formula. It is not replaced other than a temporary fix of two years of block grants. What happens in two years when we do not have a workable acceptable finance plan? Continue block grants? The schools are being asked to step off Point A without knowing the whereabouts of Point B.
– The amounts of the block grants are not stable but rather subject to be diminished by the Governor’s allotments whenever the budget is addressed. When we begin to address our budget crisis there is no guarantee the grants will remain funded at the levels set in the bill.
– as mentioned at the outset, I heard from many constituents regarding this bill. Not one, NOT ONE, asked me to support it.

It has been a difficult session so far and we have not yet reached the budget. I remain honored to represent my friends and neighbors in the work of the state. Stay tuned.