We have a lot of thoughts on our recent experience testifying in a hearing that was supposed to be on SB 142-the governor’s plan for funding the inflation adjustment that appears to be the only hurdle between us and a constitutionally adequate school finance plan. One noteworthy occurrence was when Rep. Thomas asked the Kansas PTA citizen advocate a question about raises given to Shawnee Mission employees in 2018. First, we note the questioner was Rep. Thomas who you may recall “won the 26th District seat in the Kansas House of Representatives despite being arrested and charged with...
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Tell legislators to fund inflation adjustment and end cycle of litigation
We’re sharing from a Facebook post by our friends at Stand Up Blue Valley: How many times have we heard certain legislators complain about the “cycle of litigation” and say they want the Kansas Supreme Court out of the school funding issue? Well, it’s time for those legislators to vote for exactly that. Last year’s School Funding Formula, passed by both legislative chambers and signed by then-Gov. Colyer, needs *only* an inflation adjustment to get the litigation over and done with. Governor Kelly’s plan, developed with input from the State Board of Education and the Kansas Department of...
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Leave a Comment Action Alert March 24th 2019
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IN THE KANSAS HOUSE BEFORE MONDAY AFTERNOON. Urge him or her to (1) fund the inflation adjustment in the governor’s plan which is supported by the governor, the Kansas State Board of Education, the Kansas Department of Education and advocates throughout the state, and (2) leave the formula alone. For those of you who want more information about why they should do items (1) and (2), keep reading. As for request (1), all that appears to be standing between us and a constitutionally adequate school finance plan is the inflation adjustment that has already passed...
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Leave a Comment Social Media Chronicles-Trimmer Amendment
First, let us make clear that incumbents who are on our Varsity Squad roster are strong supporters of public education. During election season, we often see Varsity Squad pro-public education incumbents attacked with distortions of their voting records. We have posted multiple Postcard Chronicles to report these. This year, we are seeing an increase of attacks on social media and other outlets, so we are introducing Social Media Chronicles. Our first Social Media Chronicle is on the Trimmer amendment. We have seen criticisms of legislators for not voting for or not advocating strongly enough for the Trimmer amendments....
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