“Here’s the saddest part: Everyone is now on defense. Advocates for public education, higher education, human service programs, public safety, and highways will all be working hard to defend what they have. “All of the state’s political energy will go toward figuring out how to constrict and pull back. No one will be thinking about things like offering a world-class education to Kansas students or otherwise investing in the state’s future.” http://www.kansasbudget.com/2014/11/now-its-official-kansas-budget-is.html...
Read more
Leave a Comment Blog
Budget reality emerges after election
“During this past election, Gov. Sam Brownback told Kansans that job growth would prevent budget shortfalls. “’The sun is shining in Kansas and don’t let anybody tell you any different,’ he said in one campaign commercial. “His budget and tax officials downplayed growing revenue shortfalls, arguing that spending cuts wouldn’t be needed in the current fiscal year and that “efficiencies will take care of shortfalls next year.” “Yet less than a week after the election, new official revenue estimates exposed the ugly truth: The state needs to cut at least $280 million in planned spending before next July,...
Read more
Leave a Comment Legislative leaders claim spending problem and blame national policy
The legislature is looking at making $279 million from this year’s budget before June 30, but legislative leadership is saying we have a spending problem not a revenue problem and blaming the national economy. “Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, blamed the projected shortfall on economic uncertainty nationwide… “For his part, House Speaker Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell, has been unwilling to budge on the income tax cuts. “‘The new revenue estimates only highlight the continuing need to protect core services while streamlining state government,’ Merrick said in a statement. ‘We do not have a revenue problem, we have a spending...
Read more
Leave a Comment USD 413 encourages community to get in the game
USD 413 is encouraging its community to get in the game. “Also during the meeting, [Retiring USD superintendent James] Hardy presented a letter for board members to sign addressing the underfunding of Special Education programs. The letter will be sent to this area’s state senator and representative about the need for increased state funding of special education school programs. “Hardy used a metaphor involving a pie made of money that never changes size, even if demands for funding increase. That is happening in Kansas, as the number of students with special needs grows. “”It may not be growing...
Read more
Leave a Comment