“Citing fiscal uncertainty amid the state’s $400 million budget hole and the inability of lawmakers so far to resolve it, members of the Topeka Board of Education gave the green light Thursday for nearly $2 million in spending cuts. “Board members expressed regret and concern about the impact of the cuts on classrooms and children, but said the $1.8 million in reductions are necessary not only to handle state aid losses so far, but to brace for further cuts.” Read more here: http://cjonline.com/news/2015-06-04/topeka-school-board-cuts-18-million-citing-legislature#.VXGulnMDF2o.facebook...
Read more
Leave a Comment Blog
Sen. Masterson campaign contributions are revealing
From our friends at Johnson County Educators on Sen. Masterson who we’ve been posting about quite a bit lately for his policy positions which we oppose. One only has to examine the contributors listed on Sen. Masterson’s campaign finance reports for the 2016 election cycle (easily accessed at the Kansas Ethics Commission) to know whose bidding he’s doing, and it’s not the schoolchildren of Kansas. Some might consider this to be an ‘ad hominem’ attack, but we believe understanding the role of money in the political process is necessary to be an informed voter. Donors make contributions because...
Read more
Leave a Comment Proposal would cut 6% from everything including schools
Remember when legislators sold the block grant bill as a way to provide districts with certainty in funding? We were skeptical; still are. Sen. Masterson has proposed a 6% cut across the board, which would include schools. “The latest destructive plan emerged Tuesday, pushed along by Sen. Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican. “It calls for a nearly 6 percent across-the-board cut of close to $400 million in state spending — including an estimated $180 million from K-12 school districts. That would be an unconscionable decision by legislators, one that would have long-term, devastating effects on the state’s educational...
Read more
Leave a Comment 9 Senators vote to remove sales tax exemptions for schools
Sunday night/Monday morning 9 senators voted in support of removing sales tax exemptions for schools and other governmental entities (as well as nonprofit hospitals) which would functionally equate to losses of funding. Senators Abrams, Fitzgerald, Holmes, Knox, Lynn, Masterson, Melcher, Pilcher-Cook and Smith voted in favor....
Read more
Leave a Comment