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Kansas House starts debate on new budget; little progress made
Read more: Kansas House starts debate on new budget; little progress madeThis afternoon the Kansas House of Representatives is debating its replacement budget. The legislation being considered is known as the “Feuerborn amendment”. At 417 pages, it has been divided into 13 sections, with part “A” being the language that “guts” the existing bill.
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For Kansas school spending lobby, truth is frustrating
Read more: For Kansas school spending lobby, truth is frustratingToday’s lead Wichita Eagle editorial complains that a Kansas public policy group’s position on school fund balances is frustrating. It would be one thing if the findings made by the Kansas Policy Institute were false. But it has been found that these findings are true: Kansas schools have been spending down the funds in the…
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Kansas budget, taxes, still being worked on
Read more: Kansas budget, taxes, still being worked onAt the Kansas statehouse yesterday, some progress was made on the budget, but much work remains. With the session about to end, large decisions about taxation and spending have yet to be made.
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Limits of government and rights of people to be addressed in Wichita
Read more: Limits of government and rights of people to be addressed in WichitaThis Friday (May 7) Sarah Mcintosh will address members and guests of the Wichita Pachyderm Club. Ms. McIntosh’s presentation, titled “Make No Law,” will discuss the constitutional powers and limits of the federal government, versus the rights of the people, with a particular focus on the interaction of rights and powers in the health care…
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Kansas budget still being worked on
Read more: Kansas budget still being worked onYesterday the Kansas House failed to pass a budget that did not require raising taxes. The budget, referred to as the “cuts budget” or the “Yoder budget” had only 45 votes in its favor, and would have been vetoed by the governor, based on his stated criteria for an acceptable budget.
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Kansas House committee considers school funds
Read more: Kansas House committee considers school fundsYesterday the Kansas House of Representatives Education Budget Committee heard testimony on HB 2748. The bill would give Kansas school districts flexibility in spending funds.
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Kansas budget may be settled today
Read more: Kansas budget may be settled todayLast night the Kansas Senate Ways and Means committee came up with a new tax package. The main ingredients are a one cent per dollar increase in the statewide sales tax, but no increase in cigarette taxes. The package relies on the federal government extending a Medicare matching funds program boost, which Congress has not…
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Most Kansas students not ready for college
Read more: Most Kansas students not ready for collegeWhile Kansas high school students perform slightly better than the nation, only 26 percent of students that take the ACT test are ready for college-level coursework in all four areas that ACT considers.
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Kansas is a Republican, not conservative, state
Read more: Kansas is a Republican, not conservative, stateA recent editorial prepared by the Kansas Republican Party concluded with: “Kansas Republicans are presenting a united front with sound plans to meet the challenges of a 21st century economy. Our philosophy centers on liberating the promise of the individual and family as the answer, not more government growth, on a path to prosperity.” That’s…
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Kansas schools have used funds to increase spending
Read more: Kansas schools have used funds to increase spendingAlthough revenue to Kansas school districts has declined, schools have been able to increase spending by using fund balances. These fund balances have been the subject of controversy, with school spending advocates insisting that they can’t be used in the way that we now see they have been used.
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Wichita economic development claims deserve scrutiny
Read more: Wichita economic development claims deserve scrutinyReports that Southwest Airlines may be considering adding service in Wichita has lead to enthusiasm for the economic development that this service would add.
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Kansas sales tax studies are different
Read more: Kansas sales tax studies are differentAs the Kansas Legislature decides whether to balance the budget through reductions in spending or increases in taxes, two studies of the impact of a sales tax increase have emerged. The two arrive at different conclusions, and it’s important to understand the differences between them.