Senators Question Governor’s Education Funding Plan

A top aide says Gov. Sam Brownback is
willing to consider ideas from Kansas legislators for modifying his
plan to overhaul how the state finances its public schools.
Brownback policy director Landon Fulmer briefed members of the
budget-writing Senate Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday about the
governor’s plan.
Senators questioned how funding for new buildings and bus
services would work. The plan is designed to give the state’s 286
local school boards more flexibility, and, unlike the current
school finance formula, it wouldn’t target money specifically for
such items.
Fulmer said the governor will work with legislators on such
issues.
But Fulmer already has said he doesn’t think a plan will pass
unless it eliminates a state cap on local property taxes, as
Brownback proposes.