Legislative update from Rep. Stan Frownfelter, D-37th Dist.
Under the Dome
February revenue numbers
Parents as Teachers
K-12 block grants
Changes to school board elections
Under the Dome
This has been a short week in the Legislature, because we had Monday and Tuesday off to spend time at home with our constituents. I look for things to start picking up speed in the coming weeks as we begin debating school finance and eventually a budget.
February revenue numbers
Revenue numbers were slightly above estimates in February, marking the first time in seven months incoming state revenue has met or exceeded projections. The state remains $37 million below estimates for the fiscal year with four months remaining.
While the governor and the legislature have cut more than $300 million from state agencies and public education already this fiscal year, the state still faces a budget shortfall of more than $600 million next year.
The state is constitutionally prohibited from running a deficit, so creating a balanced budget is a top priority this legislative session. Unfortunately, we are halfway through the session and have yet to see a comprehensive budget bill.
Moving forward I will consider any budget plan that is fair, equitable, and sustainable and puts the needs of middle class families first. The future success of our state depends upon providing our children with a high-quality education, creating good paying jobs, and investing in the growth and development of our state’s economy.
Parents as Teachers
An informational hearing was held in the House Social Services Budget Committee this week to determine if the state would eliminate its $7.2 million contribution to the Parents as Teachers program. The program, which offers services to at risk youth and their families, is aimed at combating childhood poverty and preparing young children for school. Eliminating the state’s contribution would significantly hamper or eliminate local school districts’ abilities to provide services to an already underserved population of Kansas citizens. Parents as Teachers plays a vital role in our communities, and it is imperative that its funding is preserved.
K-12 block grants
On Thursday Republican lawmakers finally rolled out their education plan. The proposal eliminates base state aid per pupil and instead allocates funds in the form of a block grant, or a lump sum, to each district for fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
I have several concerns about the plan:
• It does not significantly increase funding to schools, and therefore does not address a recent Court order to increase funding.
• It is still unclear how funds will be calculated and distributed, but it will not account for changes in district enrollment.
• It does away with districts weightings that account for local needs such as busing, special education, and bilingual programs. Failing to factor in these costs generates inequality between districts across the state.
The proposed plan comes at the recommendation of Governor Brownback, who has outlined changing the school finance formula as one of his top legislative priorities. The problem with the current formula is not its structure, but rather inadequate funding allocated by the Legislature.
Changes to school board elections
On Thursday the House Education Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2345, which would prevent anyone employed by a school district or the Department of Education from being elected to a local school board. It also prohibits any school employee’s spouse, sibling, parent, or roommate from running for a school board. This bill seeks to unnecessarily limit who is eligible to run for school board and could potentially disqualify competent candidates.
Keep in touch
Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Room 174-W, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at 785-296-7691 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me. Additional, you can e-mail me at [email protected]. You can also follow the legislative session online at www.kslegislature.org.