Jim Karleskint
jimkarleskint@yahoo.com
Reminder of the SQE at The Capital Day on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. I would encourage all members that can work it into your schedule to come to Topeka this day to meet with your legislator, visit committee meetings, and attend floor sessions of both the House and the Senate. We will have coffee, tea, and donuts/rolls available to legislators as they enter the building, if you can be there by 8 AM. We will meet in the basement hallway of the Capital to greet legislators as they enter that morning. Please make plans if possible if you have questions or need help with anything don’t hesitate to contact me.
When talking to legislators I would suggest that you ask the following:
1. Would you support removing the sunset provision on high density at-risk, which was a part of the school finance law the court approved. Note: This provision was recommended by a legislative post audit study to help school districts with a high-density at-risk student population.
2. Would you support funding the special education law as recommended by the Governor? Governor Kelly has proposed to phase in 92% of excess costs over a five-year period. In the Montoy Supreme Court case the legislature agreed to fund the special education law but has not done so since 2011. The 2006 legislature approved 92% percent of excess cost.
3. In the Gannon case the Kansas Supreme Court approved a legislative proposal to provide a cost of-living factor in the school finance law in order to keep funding up to date. Do you support this provision?
On Tuesday evening Governor Kelly gave her “State of the State” address. This was delayed from 2 weeks ago when she received a diagnosis of Covid-19. The primary take-aways from the address that pertain to education are:
Governor Kelly’s budget fully funds K-12 education for the fifth year in a row – and puts us on the path to fully funding special education.
Governor Kelly stated, “All Kansas children deserve the support they need to learn, but that’s only possible when we work together to ensure special education is funded the way it needs to be.”
Regarding the Special Education funding she went on to state “This funding doesn’t let Washington off the hook.” Governor Kelly indicated she will work with our federal delegation to ensure Congress delivers the funding it’s promised for special education services.
The legislature is starting to get into fully swing. While committees continue to hear report on various topics, bills are now being heard with testimony being offered from both sides. Probably the most controversial issue heard this week was in House K-12 Education Budget Committee on Wednesday, HB 2048 was heard, the bill expands the tax-subsidized scholarships.
Currently, there is a limit of $8,000 per student a year. The scholarships are available to students who are eligible for free and reduced lunches and are enrolled in any public school in Kansas. The program gives up to $10 million a year in state tax credits to businesses and individuals to donate money to a scholarship program for private schools. A donor to the program now gets a 70% tax credit on their individual or
corporate income taxes with contributions from a single taxpayer capped at $500,000. The tax credit would be increased to 100% under the bill.
The new plan also expands student eligibility for the program to include being from a family with an income less than 250% of the federal poverty level. It also includes students who have been in foster care, have a parent in the armed forces or was killed in the line of duty. It also would be available to students whose parents are an emergency worker. The plan also could double the $10 million cap in state tax credits if they exceed 80% of the limit. The cap would be increased by 20% each year up to $20 million. The fiscal note on the bill was to cost $5 million in 2023 and an additional increase of $2 million in 2024. The discussion in committee on Wednesday was very spirited to say the least. Some members of the committee challenged testimony brought by opponents. I testified in opposition to the bill. The Senate was scheduled to hear a similar bill next week but was taken off the calendar.
What to expect in Week 4
Next week, many committees will continue to hold informational briefings on topics they likely plan to prioritize bill hearings in the coming weeks. The Education Committees are scheduled to hear various bills this week. Keep in mind committees could take action any day on bills that have previously heard.
Monday, January 30th
Senate Education-Hear presentations on Teacher Preparation Programs. Could take action on bills already heard.
House K-12 Education Budget-Informational briefing on “Teachers: The Heart of Education”
Tuesday, January 3lst
House Education-Hearing on HB 2080. The bill would allow virtual schools to take virtual state assessments.
Senate Education-Hearing on SB 82. Bill would require schools to establish policies and have concussion management teams in schools.
House K-12 Education Budget-Briefing on Special Education, Part 2.
Wednesday, February 1st
House Education-Hearing on HB 2143. The bill would establish requirements for school district bullying policies and procedures for investigating complaints.
Senate Education-briefing on language assessment. KSDE will be present to answer questions previously posed.
House K-12 Education Budget-Hear budget requests from School of the Deaf & School the Blind House Taxation-Hearing HB 2108. Bill provides for a sales tax holiday for school supplies. Senate had similar hearings last week.
Thursday, February 2nd
House Education-Hearing HB 2139. Bill creates the crime of abuse of a sports official and provides criminal penalties for conviction.
Senate Education-Briefing on Higher Education by the Numbers.
At this point there doesn’t appear to be a great deal of hearings that have controversary associated with them. However, things can change quickly at the Capital. Till next week. Stay safe and let me know if you have questions.
