We agree. “The problem is that move sounds like the first step of a political dance that begins with moving local elections to the fall, then to the fall in even-numbered years and then as partisan elections. Until city and school district officials clamor for partisan fall elections in even-numbered years, legislators should refrain from forcing their will upon the local election process. There is enough partisan fighting and ideological rigidity at the state and federal levels now. There’s no need to spread more of it around.” http://cjonline.com/opinion/2014-03-14/editorial-legislators-should-forget-about-election-mandates...
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Education Committee calendars lack transparency
As of 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 14, every entry on the House Education Committee agenda for next week says “Possible action on bills previously heard”. The Senate Education Committee agenda says Monday’s meeting is cancelled, and they will hear from Olathe and Wichita Service Center representatives on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday say “Meeting scheduled – Agenda to be announced” and Friday says “Meeting on call of the chair”. What surprises await and how much notice will we get? Please try to check in with us while on spring break....
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Leave a Comment It is a dangerous time in Kansas
“It is a dangerous time in Kansas. The governor and his legislators, along with special interest groups such as Americans for Prosperity and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce have aligned and consolidated their power in Topeka. Whether it’s the judiciary, individual communities, issues of public interest or matters of individual liberties, this coalition seems bent on forever altering the landscape of Kansas, and those who dare oppose that power block will find their voices legislated into silence. Understandably, it’s not easy for working Kansans to care much about legislation that is complex, boring and specific to one segment...
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Leave a Comment Legislators consider ways to comply with Gannon decision on equity
“GOP leaders and House and Senate budget committee members said lawmakers probably won’t increase overall state spending by the full $129 million that the state Department of Education estimates would cover deficiencies in aid to poor school districts. The state could tap its cash reserves to cover all of the extra costs, but half a dozen key Republican legislators said they oppose such a move or don’t think the GOP-dominated Legislature would approve it. They said alternatives include shifting existing funds for public schools around or cutting other parts of the budget. ‘It’s not likely that we just...
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