Here is a Facebook post by Republican Representative Steven Becker regarding the toxic education bill passed last weekend. SCHOOL FUNDING + POOR POLICY = A “NO” VOTE I feel compelled to comment on the education funding bill that passed the House late Sunday night. A newsletter addressing a wider range of topics will follow next month after adjournment of the wrap-up session. Last month, our State Supreme Court issued the long awaited opinion regarding the constitutionally required funding of public education. As I expected, the Court ruled the funding level had not been met and directed the legislature to...
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Republican Sen. Vern Swanson explains opposition to education finance bill
“’If he signs it, he’s really going to tick off the education block, and they can be a really formidable force if every teacher voted,’” [Republican Senator Vern Swanson] said. ‘This could be the real rallying point.’ If vetoed, the Legislature has a couple weeks left in the regular session to revise and pass a measure to adequately fund schools. The House approved adding $141 million to poorer schools with no policy changes. ‘All devil broke loose’ when the Senate that insisted that tax credits and corporate scholarships for private schools be included, that Common Core not be...
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Leave a Comment New LOB cap won’t restore recession-era cuts in Johnson County
This is important reading. Even for districts that will probably be able to increase their local property tax with the new cap on LOB, the new funding will not approach restoring the recession-era cuts faced by those same districts. It will surely be featured on postcards claiming the legislators voting for the bill with the elimination of teacher due process and establishment of ALEC corporate tax credit scholarships voted to increase funding. http://www.kansascity.com/2014/04/09/4949056/extra-taxing-authority-wont-offset.html...
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Leave a Comment PV Post reports Rep. Rooker heartsick over results of education finance bill
“’We took money away from students at risk across the state – gutted (that funding) in favor of corporate tax credits,’ she said. The two categories of at-risk that were removed from the school finance formula are for students who are non-proficient (by testing) and those who are part-time or over 19. That saves the state more than $8 million while up to $10 million can be awarded in tax credits. Corporations could get a 70 percent credit for donating to organizations that grant scholarships to certain students – special needs or Title I – who move from...
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