KASB Archives - Page 6 of 6 Voice For Liberty

Mar

Kansas school lobby: not enough spending, not enough taxation

In Topeka, the Kansas Association of School Boards rarely misses an opportunity to complain that spending on government schools is too low. The same goes for the Kansas National Education Association, the teachers union. Also, taxes aren't high enough, they say. A recent note from KNEA regarding a possible sales tax holiday in Kansas stated: "Our primary concerns are related to the bill’s fiscal note which indicates a loss of more than $57 million in revenue to the state should such a holiday be enacted." The message goes on to suggest some reforms in Kansas sales tax law, as long…

Feb

By Bob Weeks

Kansas Education Lobby Always Prowling for Tax Dollars

In Topeka, the Kansas Association of School Boards rarely misses an opportunity to reach deeper into the taxpayer's pocket. The same goes for the Kansas National Education Association, the teachers union. Here's a report from one of these groups: "In the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee it was KASB lobbyist Mark Tallman representing both organizations in support of the reauthorization of the 20 mill statewide property tax levy for schools. This has to be done every two years. Tallman suggested that a one mill increase in the statewide mill levy would equal about $47 per pupil on BSAPP [base state…

Feb

By Bob Weeks

Testimony against taxpayer-funded lobbying

The following testimony from John Todd explains some of the harmful effects of taxpayer-funded lobbying. Isn't it terrible that that interests of governmental bodies like the city and county you live in or your local school district are different from your interests? As John explains, local government has become a special interest group, and like other such groups, it must lobby for its own interests. February 18, 2008 House Committee on Federal and State Affairs Kansas Legislature State Capitol Topeka, Kansas 66612 Subject: My testimony is presented in SUPPORT OF House Bill No. 2775 concerning governmental ethics; requiring the reporting…

Feb

By Bob Weeks

Wichita school bond issue not the only proposed tax increase

As the residents of Wichita consider whether to vote for the $350 million school bond issue proposed by the board of USD 259 (Wichita public school district), be aware that the bond issue and its associated increase in property taxes is not the only tax increase the public schools in Kansas would like to have. The following article from Karl Peterjohn explains. Tax Funds Being Spent To Push For Kansas Tax Hike By Karl Peterjohn, Kansas Taxpayers Network. Released September 20, 2007. Your tax dollars are being used to push for an increase in Kansas income taxes. Do you want…

Jul

By Bob Weeks

Report from Topeka, July 1, 2005

Thank you again, Karl Peterjohn of the Kansas Taxpayers Network, for your insights into the Kansas Legislature's special session. The Kansas house begins their 10:30 AM session with a constitutional amendment to reassert their fiscal powers in a key vote for this special session. Last Sunday a similar amendment failed getting only 73 of the 84 (2/3) votes needed to be submitted to voters. Yesterday's house vote on school finance tied the $140 million in additional funding to the passage of an amendment in the constitutional battle between the court and the other two branches of Kansas government. Yesterday, the…

Jun

By Bob Weeks

Regarding School Finance from Senator Karin Brownlee

By Senator Karin Brownlee, Republican from Olathe What is the higher priority? Should the Legislature send $143 million more to schools or preserve the form of government our forefathers carefully designed over two hundred years ago? The separation of powers doctrine is fundamental to maintaining our free society because it maintains a balance of powers with the judiciary unable to control the budget. That is until last Friday when the Kansas Supreme Court blurred the lines and came out with a ruling that the Kansas Legislature should appropriate an additional $143 million to the K-12 schools, for starters. The Court…