“From a Legislative Branch perspective, it was perhaps not as bad as it could have been because the core issue of ‘suitable’ or ‘adequate’ spending was remanded back to the trial court for utilization of a different formula. . . Looming over it all, however, is still the fundamental disagreement when it comes to judicial authority to even rule on a school finance plan meeting constitutional muster, something a strong majority of us elected by and answerable to those who pay for it believes is our exclusive responsibility. The saga continues and we’ll see where it ends up,...
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Possible link between moving local elections to November and ALEC agenda to take assault on state government to the local level
We see a link between bills in the Kansas House and Senate to move local elections including school board elections to the fall and a new ALEC agenda to take their assault on state government to the local level. Kansans should not be making it easier for ALEC to manipulate state and local elections. “The extension of its techniques to city councils and municipalities across America offers Alec the chance to open up a potential source of funding that might help it solve its budgetary crisis. There are almost 500,000 local elected officials, many with considerable powers over schools...
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Leave a Comment Opposition to Senate bill to move school board and other local elections
The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee is meeting tomorrow morning to discuss SB 211 (moving school board and other local elections to the fall). Have you made your voice heard on this issue yet? Here are emails for the committee members: Mitch.Holmes@senate.ks.gov, Michael.Odonnell@senate.ks.gov, Tom.Arpke@senate.ks.gov, Steve.Fitzgerald@senate.ks.gov, David.Haley@senate.ks.gov, Garrett.Love@senate.ks.gov, Oletha.Faust-Goudeau@senate.ks.gov, Greg.Smith@senate.ks.gov, Kay.Wolf@senate.ks.gov. Also see this article outlining the Pratt school board’s resolution in opposition to this bill.http://www.pratttribune.com/article/20140311/NEWS/140319872...
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Leave a Comment Legislative reaction to Gannon in Wichita Eagle
“Some lawmakers focused less on an amount and more on the ruling itself. Rep. Scott Schwab, R-Olathe, said he still objected to the court ruling on such matters. ‘The constitution tells us to fund a lot of things. Are you now able to sue the Legislature if you don’t get enough funds?’ Schwab asked Schmidt at the meeting. ‘This gets to be a very dark hole that the court is throwing us into.’ Schmidt told Schwab that the state had lost that argument and told him not to lose any sleep over it. He called the ruling respectful...
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