• Kansas Freedom Index provides legislative transparency

    Kansas Freedom Index provides legislative transparency0

    Speaking at a gathering of legislators and policy experts from multiple states recently, I was asked why the Republican-dominated Kansas legislature raised taxes last year instead of making government more efficient.  In response, I asked, “What’s a Republican?” We all had a good chuckle, but the sad truth is that party labels don’t mean much

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  • Considering a constitutional amendment on school funding

    Considering a constitutional amendment on school funding0

    There’s no constitutional amendment on the November ballot but it’s one of the major issues facing whoever gets elected. Kansas Policy Institute does not support or oppose candidates for public office, but we do provide educational information to the public about key economic and education issues facing Kansans.  Our 2018 Voter Issue Guide is intended

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  • Kansas Supreme Court teetering on tyranny

    Kansas Supreme Court teetering on tyranny0

    If the Kansas Supreme Court rejects the Legislature’s latest attempt to mollify on school funding as predicted, Governor Colyer and the Legislature will soon face another monumental decision.  Individually and collectively, they must decide whether (finally) to defend the constitution and reject the court’s attempt to establish a judicial oligarchy or (again) make an even

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  • What’s in the House school funding plan?

    What’s in the House school funding plan?0

    The House school funding plan that developed last week proposes to give schools $500 million more over five years in hope of appeasing the Kansas Supreme Court.  There would be an increase in special education funding but most of the money goes to increasing base state aid.  Ironically, a constitutional amendment was also introduced that

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  • Amend the Constitution to protect students

    Amend the Constitution to protect students0

    It’s hard to imagine that any court would threaten to violate students’ constitutional right to education by closing schools over a tiny funding dispute, but that’s the bizarre reality we face in Kansas.  Since statutory prohibition of school closure as set forth in K.S.A. 60-2106(d) and K.S.A. 72-64b03(b) is obviously insufficient to deter the Supreme

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