Greenbush's business partners that find ways to 1) save schools money, 2) add value to current school programs, and 3) create a revenue stream for schools will be the ones on the forefront of helping schools through these tough times.
Legislators, school districts wrestle with fund problems
12/12/2009
By MICHAEL STRAND
Salina Journal
Probably nobody was expecting good news to come from Friday's meeting between area lawmakers and school officials.
And while some lawmakers said tax increases or reductions in various tax exemptions might be possible in the upcoming legislative session, others were far less certain.
Rep. Dan Johnson, R-Hays, was next to last of the lawmakers to speak Friday at an annual legislative forum sponsored by the Smoky Hill Education Service Center.
"Let me take you to the real world now," Johnson said, following legislators who had suggested possible repeal of sales tax exemptions, increased gambling, and other ways the state could raise additional funds and avoid further cuts to schools and other parts of state government.
Johnson noted the state is approaching a half-billion-dollar difference between current spending and tax revenues.
"We cannot spend money we don't have," Johnson said. "And I don't believe we'll ever be able to pass a revenue increase in the House of Representatives this year," repeating that last sentence for emphasis.
Even were some tax increase to happen, Johnson said, "We could not get the money fast enough to make a difference this year."
Brace yourselves
Johnson also told districts to brace for worse news in the future, as federal stimulus funds cease.
"This year will be rough -- but next year will be much worse," he told the crowd of more than 100 superintendents, administrators and school board members from across north-central and northwest Kansas.
Other lawmakers stressed that while they do support education, they consider education funding alongside other state-funded activities.
Rep. Vern Swanson, R-Clay Center, agreed that the Legislature "promised" money to education in a three-year plan three years ago and that money has been cut from that plan -- but that the state has also taken back money that was scheduled to be sent to cities and counties.
And, Swanson said, he's also concerned about cuts in services to the handicapped, prisons and public safety.
"I support education," Swanson said, "but there will be votes where it appears I don't."
Doesn't hate Scouts
Rep. Eber Phelps, D-Ellsworth, said there are plenty of ways the state could raise additional money, including re-opening dog tracks.
Revoking sales tax exemptions is another possibility, Phelps said, "but right away you're labelled as somebody who hates Girl Scouts."
Girl Scout cookies are among items exempted from sales taxes.
Phelps also urged those contacting lawmakers to make their points clear.
During the past legislative session, he said, he saw other lawmakers supporting cuts to education he didn't expect them to; when he asked them about it, they told him they'd talked with superintendents in their districts, and been told districts could handle the cuts.
But when he called those superintendents to confirm that, they said that hadn't been the message they'd been trying to convey.
State Board of Education member Kathy Martin told the group she didn't want to be characterized as "anti-education" but said she thinks the state's current budget troubles need to be overcome.
And until the economy improves, she said, that may mean education "that's the best we can afford right now -- not the best money can buy."
She also suggested districts use any available funds to increase teacher pay, "rather than the latest computers or the latest textbooks."
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