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Friday, January 17, 1992 / University Daily Kansan
OPINION
Finney school tax plan is ambitious, not viable
The goal of Gov. Finney's school tax proposal is to provide equal educational opportunities to all primary education students in Kansas. Gov. Finney's school tax proposal promises only one thing at this time: to reduce property taxes in 253 of 304 school districts, although
In 1991, the average amount spent on each student was $4,443. But the amount varied from $2,608.94 in Mavure to $1,544.18 in Mulville. Now tell me the quality of education in these two schools is the same.
People always are lambasting the government, both state and federal, for not taking care of the lower and middle-income people. Tax breaks for the wealthy seem to increase, but the debts of the rest of us climb ever higher. Everyone wants the government to do something about it, but no one wants to give up anything of their own
The interesting thing is that under Finney's proposal the wealthy school districts would not have to lose anything.
Support groups such as the PTA could provide, through private fundraising, much of the money required for the extras the schools have become accustomed to. There are currently only 93 PTA's operating in the 304 school districts. Gov. Finney would like to see this number increase to at least 200.
Although the level of financing and the quality of education indeed vary from district to district, the governor's plan is by no means a good solution.
Mark
Coatney
Staff
columnist
Consider these problems: A statewide levy of 45 mills would result in a revenue shortfall of $217 million, according to Gov. Finney. The governor plans to make up for this shortfall primarily by repealing one-third of current sales-tax exemptions and legalizing a video lottery.
Many legislators don't think that $105 million in exemptions can be cut without stepping on quite a few toes, or they will be unwilling to do in an election year.
As for the video lottery, the chance of getting enough people playing for the state to make $50 million a year is slim, considering that the revenues from the Kansas lottery and racing are estimated at only $30.7 million and declining. What if the state does not raise the money? Is Gov. Finney going to go on television and say, "Sorry, no school today; we crapped out last night?"
Under the Finney plan, average state expenditures for each student would actually go down to $3,640. If you
agree that the amount of money spent for each student is a prime indicator of the quality of education, this plan does a disservice to the average K-12 student.
The loss of local control is also a big concern. Does the state really have the money, resources and foresight to adequately provide for the needs of 304 school districts at once? What if, for instance, the patrons and administration decide that a new building is needed in the district and the state doesn't agree? Is the local PTA going to have bake sales to raise the money?
State control over financing will inevitably be linked to state control over curriculum, at a time when the trend in education is away from centralization and toward site-based management.
But changes do need to be made. If Gov. Finney's plan to strengthen the elementary and high school curriculum for all Kansas schools is to be met, help must be found for those school districts who are operating at far below average financing per student.
Dean Weaver, superintendent of the Lansing School district, said it best, "I believe that education needs to be fair and equal for every kid in the state. .and we need to think about what's good for the state of Kansas."
- Mark Coatney is a Linwood graduate student in political science Kate Kelley
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Lady Jayhawks lack fans
KU students and fans should support both women's and men's basketball teams.
After losing to Missouri in their Big Eight Conference opener at Columbia, Mo., the Lady Jayhawks will return tomorrow to Allen Field House for their conference home opener against Colorado.
Although the Jayhawks are undefeated at the field house, they have averaged just 508 fans in their six home games. Those numbers are not typical of the support Kansas fans are known for. In fact, the pathetic figures are barely higher than the average attendance of last place Kansas State.
However, that lack of attention does not reflect the Jayhawks' level of play. Despite struggling with numerous injuries this season, Kansas stands 11-3 and ranks 24th in the nation.
With starters Angela Aycock, Terrilyn Johnson and Lisa Tatehampered by injuries,
Kansas went 2-3 on its recent five-game road swing. But two of the losses were one-point heartbreakers, including a 57-56 loss to Missouri. In their 11 victories, the Jayhawks outscored their opponents by at least 10 points.
Coach Marian Washington said a large turnout tomorrow might be the shot in the arm the team needs.
"For us to have a big crowd on Saturday would mean a lot to our team," she said. "Fans in the stands cheering us on helps to bring forth our best effort."
Tip off is at 2p.m. Students with a KUID can watch the game for free.
If Kansas fans want to back up their claims of a rich basketball tradition, their next step should be to prove that there is room for both men's and women's basketball teams.
Good luck to both the Jayhawk basketball teams as they enter their conference seasons.
Area observances honor King
David Mitchell for the editorial board
People should take advantage of holiday to learn more about our nation's racial struggles
Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday has been a federal holiday since 1986 and has been observed by the University of Kansas since 1988. It is good that King's birthday is among the few federal holidays KU observes.
attending various activities honoring King.
However, students will not gain anything from the holiday if they forget its purpose and only look upon it as a day off from classes. They should remember that the purpose of the holiday is to honor both the birth of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his accomplishments.
It is important to remember that he fought with nonviolent protests for equality for all races. King was one of the civil rights leaders who strived to end racism in our nation and has become a symbol for future civil rights leaders.
Students can recognize the holiday by
Activities for Martin Luther King Jr. weekend will begin with the annual Martin Luther King Jr. banquet and a lecture by C.T. Vivian, president of the Center for Democratic Renewal in Atlanta. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow in the Kansas Union Ballroom. Music lovers can attend a musical featuring choirs from local churches and community organizations at 6 p.m. Sunday in the Lawrence High School Auditorium.
The actual observance of the holiday will begin at noon Monday with a commemorative service for King at Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vermont St., with Rev Frederick Sampson as the keynote speaker. Daisy Belle Thomas-Quinney will perform a dramatization at 7 p.m. Monday at Liberty Hall.
Attending these events will benefit students by enhancing their knowledge of King and the struggle for racial equality in this country.
Tiffany LAsh Haur for the ediitional board
Letters to the editor
KU should follow Rochester, N.Y., example and ban ROTC programs from campus
More than a month ago, the Rochester, N.Y., public school board accomplished what Chancellor Gene Budig has been unable to do: end the hypocrisy corrupting its policy against discrimination. The board voted to no longer permit military recruiters at Rochester schools. Board Member Karen Grella said, "How would it look to our students if we said discrimination is wrong, but in the military's case it'OK?"
I'm a KU student, and I know how it looks because I have been waiting for almost five years for Budig to sever KU's ties with the Department of Defense. Act, Mr. Budig. Remove
Chad Foster
ROTCfrom University buildings. Stop granting academic credit for ROTC activities. End our hypocrisy. If the Rochester school board can, so can you.
Kansas City, Mo., senior
Health care should not be left in the hands of government officials
It's time for Arizona, other states to honor Martin Luther King Day
It's frightening to think that "half of the audience (attending Rep. Jim Slattery's health-care town meeting on Wednesday) said it would be in favor of rationed health care" (Kansan, Thursday, Jan. 16, p.3). Are these people really willing to let the government
ration our health care? Are they nuts?
Have they asked themselves, "Would I let people like Jim Slattery, Bob Dole, Nancy Kassebaum or Joan Finney decide when I can take my child to the doctor and when they can't? Or decide where I can go for medical care and how long I can receive it?" Would those people trust the same government that guzzled $379 billion in 1991 for social security or Medicare (enough for $1,523 86 for every person in the country) but failed to provide health care for millions of people—would they trust that government to ration their health care? If they would, then I've some swampland in Minnesota that I'd like to sell them.
Dan McCloskey
Iowa City, Iowa, senior
Martin Luther King Jr. was a great man, but some Arizona voters seem to be lost on that fact. I can't understand why that state and others have still refused to declare his birthday an official holiday. It seems to me that voters there do not find him important enough to receive that recognition.
King's birthday is Jan. 15, but different states celebrate the holiday at diff-
Some states celebrate the holiday but bury it in a long list of names to water down its purpose, which is to recognize King as a leader for nonviolent action. In Alabama, for example, King's birthday is celebrated as Martin Luther King and Robert E. Lee's Birthday on Jan. 21. Virginia celebrates Lee-Jackson-King Day, so that different sections of the community can choose whom to honor.
According to the Wall Street Journal of Jan. 21, 1991, 47 states and the federal government observe the slain civil rights leader's birthday as an official paid holiday. In addition to Arizona, New Hampshire and Montana do not observe the King holiday at all.
In November 1990, Arizona voters rejected a statewide referendum that would have recognized King's birthday as a paid holiday. The referendum was rejected by a margin of 17,000 votes out of more than a million cast. Arizona is scheduled to vote again on the issue this November.
Lisa Golda
Taylor
Guest
columnist
Nationwide recognition of the holiday should not be too much to ask for. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired change through nonviolence, which was a great accomplishment in the war against the extreme racial tension at that time. In an effort for change, students protesting for equality were insulted, had food smeared on them at food counters and were blasted with water hoses.
African-Americans still are not treated entirely as equals. But recognition of this holiday shows us that at least some progress has been made. It also draws attention to problems that still need to be addressed.
This move by the NFL resulted in a financial loss for the state, but the voters who struck down the referendum are to blame for that, not the NFL owners.
Rejection of the Arizona referendum hurt the state financially. The NFL owners vote to remove the 1983 team from Phoenix at their 1991 league meeting.
In addition to being shrunched by the NFL, Arizona also is losing tourism money. According to the Wall Street Journal of Jan. 21, 1991, Arizona's Office of Tourism estimated a $60 million loss because of the negative reaction to the vote. If you add the money lost because of the NFL's decision, the state may have lost a total of about $200 million.
I think that it is about time for these states to wake up and realize that ignoring the Martin Luther King holiday offends large portions of the nation. When they realize that this results in great financial loss, they might be more inclined to change their minds.
Lisa Golda Taylor is a Kansas City, Kan. junior majoring in journalism.
KANSANSTAFF
TIFFANYHARNESS
Editor
VANESSA FUHRMANS Managing editor
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Stick
by David Rosenfield