March 31 Legislative update

This posting has three important updates:

• The Kansas Legislature budget proposals and timeline
•  A change in dates in the continuing contract law
•  Polling information on budget cuts and taxes

If you have any questions about these topics, please contact me.

KANSAS BUDGET WORK DELAYED

Here is a news article from the Topeka Daily Capital on March 31, 2010.

Kansas Legislature adjourns regular session; budget work put off until April 28

Budget work, other issues left for wrap-up session next month

March 31, 2010, 12:52 a.m.

Topeka — Despite a looming budget crisis, the Kansas Legislature early today adjourned the major part of the 2010 session without having approved a spending plan for the next fiscal year.

The final gavel came down on the regular session at 12:50 a.m.

After having used up 75 days of a 90-day session, legislative leaders decided it would be best to wait until they have more up-to-date revenue projections before attempting to fashion a spending plan.

On April 16, state fiscal experts will put together a revised revenue estimate. Legislators will return for the wrap-up session on April 28 and try to write a budget with the new estimate.

Legislators face a nearly $500 million revenue shortfall on top of budget cuts over the past year of nearly $1 billion from a $6.4 billion budget.

At the start of the session in January, Gov. Mark Parkinson proposed a three-year, 1 cent increase in the state sales tax and 55-cent per pack increase in the cigarette tax to help close the budget gap.

But tax increase proposals have not gained much traction.

On the other side of the ledger, more budget cuts have also been rejected. House Republican leaders proposed a budget that would cut school funding $172 million, but that has gotten little support from other legislators.

CONTINUING CONTRACT LAW CHANGES

Here is a summary of Senate Bill 362 from Dale Dennis, Associate Commissioner of Education/School Finance on March 31.

The Kansas Legislature approved the conference committee report on Senate Bill 362 last night. This bill changed the date when local boards of education must notify teachers and administrators that they do not plan to renew their contract for the next school year. This date changed from May 1 to the third Friday in May. That date will be May 21 this year.

Teachers and administrators that do not receive a nonrenewal notice must notify the local board of education 14 days following the third Friday in May of their intentions to not renew their contract. That date will be June 4 this year.

POLLING RESULTS ON BUDGET ISSUES

A recent poll conducted on March 17 and 18 by the polling/research firm of Public Opinion Strategies found that only 12% of the 500 respondents favored deeper cuts to K-12 education. However, they also found that there is not much support to raise taxes.

Pollsters told respondents the state faces a $400 million budget shortfall. Listed are their responses by percentage.

• Increase cigarette taxes by $1 a pack: 69% yes, 31% no

• Increase liquor taxes: 70% yes, 29% no.

• Sugary drink tax: 43% yes, 54% no.

• Increase sales tax: 43% yes, 56% no.

• Furlough state employees: 33% yes, 55% no.

• Sales tax on churches, nonprofits: 29% yes, 68% no.

• Reduce highway maintenance: 26% yes, 72% no.

• Increase income tax: 26% yes, 71% no.

• Reduce college funding: 22% yes, 76% no.

• Reduce health/Medicaid programs: 16% yes, 81% no.

• Sales tax on residential utilities: 14% yes, 86% no.

• Reduce social service funding: 13% yes, 85% no.

• Reduce K-12 funding: 12% yes, 87% no.

The polling had a 4.38% margin of error.

NEXT STEPS

When the legislature returns it will be very important that we quickly contact legislators about favorable and unfavorable legislation. Bills will move at a much faster pace and we must be ready to respond.

Thanks go to all of you who have contacted our legislators and the Governor on K-12 budget issues. I believe that we are making a difference with many legislators.

I hope each of you have a Joyous Easter!