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Legislators hear from angry constituents, blame “misinformation”

Legislators apparently heard from angry constituents when they were home on break. Keep it up! Though Sen. Masterson thinks people are just misinformed. “‘From my perspective, I was hearing just a tremendous amount of misinformation. I sense a very misinformed public, and so I understand their angst but when confronted with the actual numbers and facts, they seem surprised,’ Masterson said. School funding came up often, Masterson said.” Read more here: http://cjonline.com/news/2015-04-29/lawmakers-return-topeka-after-hearing-concerned-angry-citizens...
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Midyear cuts difficult to manage

“The cut from the state has come so late, the majority of our expenditures had already taken place, been decided, well before it was imposed,” [Riverton Superintendent Todd Berry] said. “Within the current year, it’s very difficult to go back and find places where you can cut.” Read more here: http://m.joplinglobe.com/news/local_news/kansas-school-districts-making-decisions-based-on-funding-losses/article_52d7a5af-5ada-5d6c-90f1-96e8eb1320a9.html?mode=jqm...
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Legislature not representing constituents can be held accountable

“Perhaps they didn’t really look into the candidates’ positions on certain issues, or maybe the candidates misrepresented or avoided direct statements about their views…Whatever the reason, voters now should be able to hold their representatives accountable. They can see how legislators voted on some issues and ask them directly where they stand on issues that have failed to advance in the Legislature. Constituents can try to influence action on remaining legislation in this session and base their votes in the next election on candidates stands on specific issues.” Read more here: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2015/apr/29/editorial-whose-views/?opinion...
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Boston Globe links current cuts to Brown v. Board

“As part of an effort to close the gap, millions of dollars are being cut from the budgets of Kansas school districts such as the one where [Beryl] New is the principal. As critics acidly describe it, Brown v. Board of Education has been replaced by ‘Brownback v. boards of education.’ “At stake, school advocates say, is the very principle of equality. For years, the state provided extra funds to the poorest school districts — known as ‘equalization’ money — so that they would have something close to economic parity with wealthier ones. But, as part of his...
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