The House K-12 Education Budget could be working on the actual education budget. (The attorney general has suggested enactment of legislation by March 15.) Instead today they had a hearing on a bill to create a voucher for students who report bullying. While we agree bullying is a serious problem, we note this bill was an ALEC model bill and is promoted by school choice organizations, not anti-bullying organizations.

We submitted written testimony. We particularly object to this bill being a voucher bill and allowing public funds to go to private schools. We note no finding of bullying actual need take place and that many private schools in Kansas are religious schools and public funding should not go to religious entities. Proponents of the bill were Rep. Erickson, Rep. Humphries, KPI, Americans for Prosperity, Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner, and the Kansas Catholic Conference. Opponents were Mainstream Coalition, USA of Kansas and Kansas School Superintendents Association, KNEA, Equality Kansas, USD 294 Superintendent Troy Pitsch, Children and Youth Action Network, USD 233 Superintendent John Allison, Dr. Ben Pretz of Basehor-Linwood 458, Kansas PTA and Game On. 

If you do not support this bill, let the committee members hear from you: Kristey.Williams@house.ks.gov, Kyle.Hoffman@house.ks.gov, Valdenia.Winn@house.ks.gov, Brenda.Dietrich@house.ks.gov, Renee.Erickson@house.ks.gov, Cindy.Holscher@house.ks.gov, Steve.Huebert@house.ks.gov, Brenda.Landwehr@house.ks.gov, Nancy.Lusk@house.ks.gov, Adam.Smith@house.ks.gov, Sean.Tarwater@house.ks.gov, Adam.Thomas@house.ks.gov, Jim.Ward@house.ks.gov.

Originally posted on Facebook 2/14/19