MR. SPEAKER: I am voting YES today on S Sub for HB 2655 for the purpose of keeping schools open. This plan misses the point of the equity portion of the Gannon case, provides no relief to the unequal tax burden facing certain districts in our state and perpetuates funding levels already ruled unconstitutional. However, there is nothing more important than ensuring our children have access to public education. Alternate options exist but this is the only one we have been given a chance to vote on. – SUZIE SWANSON, DIANA DIERKS, DON HILL, TOM MOXLEY, LARRY HIBBARD, GREG LEWIS, RAMON GONZALEZ, STEPHANIE CLAYTON, SUE BOLDRA, LINDA GALLAGHER, JOHN EWY

MR. SPEAKER: While I am doubtful S Sub for HB 2655 is a solution that will satisfy the court, I am voting YES today for the purpose of keeping schools open. Better options could be developed but this is the only one we have been given a chance to vote on. It is unfortunate that this solution was crafted by a small minority of legislators without full deliberation or inclusion. – DON HINEMAN, MELISSA ROOKER

MR. SPEAKER: I vote to concur in S Sub for HB 2655 even though I suspect it will not meet the Supreme Court’s directive. The reason for my vote is to show the Court that the legislature is giving a good faith effort to meet our assignment and perhaps the Court, in turn, will pull back its deadline to close schools allowing more time for us to find a final workable solution. – STEVEN R. BECKER

MR. SPEAKER: I vote No on S Sub for HB 2655 because the equalization formula offered does not appreciably increase aid to schools. It shifts money within existing inadequate appropriated funds and has the probability of requiring increases in local mill levies. Providing flexibility to school districts to move funds between inadequately funded programs does not improve educational outcomes. Including KPERS contributions in the school finance formula does not add money to classrooms and educational outcomes. S Sub for HB 2655 resembles rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. – TOM SLOAN

MR. SPEAKER: I vote no on S Sub for HB 2655. This bill does absolutely nothing to respond to the court’s ruling, or to remedy the inequities in SB 7 (the Block Grant bill), which the Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional. Rather, this bill is a naked and brazen attempt by supporters to create a legislative record that would force the Court to keep schools open, while not responding to the constitutional demand for an equitable school finance system.

We believe that this legislation is unconstitutional on its face, and is simply an effort to manipulate the judicial process, along with public opinion. – PAM CURTIS, BRODERICK HENDERSON, VALDENIA WINN, SYDNEY CARLIN, TOM BURROUGHS, LOUIS RUIZ

http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2015_16/chamber/documents/daily_journal_house_20160324093737.pdf