Friday, March 31, 1989 / University Daily Kansan
Local schools get $4.2 million
by John P. Milburn Kansan staff writer
State Rep. Jessie Branson said she was tired, but relied Wednesday evening.
She had spent much of the day defending a bill that would ensure state support to school districts and retain $4.2 million in aid for Lawrence schools for fiscal year 1990, which was 15 percent of the local district's general fund.
"I can't tell you how pleased I am," said Branson. D-Lawrence.
Lawrence received about $3.7 million in state enhancement aid for fiscal year 1989.
State equalization aid provides students in all districts with approximately the same amount of financial support. District equalization aid, less aid, those with low wealth receive more.
wealth deserve more.
The House passed the bill 108-17 yesterday.
It will go to the Senate Education Committee
next week for review.
The bill was not changed on the floor, but there was opposition to two provisions: one, that would use a two-year average to calculate state aid and another, that would "hold harmless" districts that have become sufficiently rich for state support.
Branson sponsored the amendment to use a two-year average of income tax and assessed property valuation, which would use figures from 1988 and 1989. She said the formula would benefit districts, such as Lawrence, that had become wealthier.
"I worked hard in committee to get the two-year average amendment and spent much of the day (Wednesday) debating the issue with members on the House floor," she
Branson said Lawrence's assessed valuation had increased 96 percent, while some rural areas only increased 10 percent to 15 percent. Johnson County, meanwhile, experienced the state's largest increase, 170 per cent, which reflected the recent state depearrausal.
Kenneth Fisher, Lawrence school district assistant superintendent, said the bill was fair and would be good for Lawrence.
He said the readinstructions would help large distrients that were receiving the shorter end
Several years ago, Lawrence received 35 percent to 40 percent of its general fund from the state. However, the district was smaller then and the aid formula was figured different.
rently, Fisher said.
The hold-harmless provision would allow school districts to receive state aid even though assessed valuation and income taxes had increased. Lawrence would lose $1.69 million in state aid without the provision.
the provision:
A total of $333 million would be allocated to the 304 state school districts to equalize state support.
Branson said a few districts, including some in Johnson County, received no aid because of their sufficient wealth.
Under the bill, districts also would receive more money from state income taxes. Gov. Mike Hayden recommended that districts receive 23 percent of taxes paid in their districts, but that they would not have to return any of that amount.
In the past, districts were allowed to keep 15 percent. Allocation of the full 23 percent would give state school districts $45 million for fiscal year 1990.
The bill also would allow budget increases of 3 percent to 5 percent for fiscal year 1990, allowing for adequate expansion. Branson reported that only 2 percent to 4 percent were allowed.
Approved comprehensive highway program to be voted on in Senate
by Alan Morgan
Kansan staff writer
TOPEKA — The Senate tentatively approved a $2.9 billion highway program yesterday despite attempts by legislators to reduce the program's cost.
The Senate will vote today before sending the bill to the House for approval of Senate's change.
If not approved by the House, the bill will enter a joint committee to develop a comproise package. The original bill approved by the House was $1.3 million.
Passage of a comprehensive highway program is needed to maintain and protect the state's investment, said State Sen. Bill Morris, R-Wichita.
Morris said that because Kansans were driving smaller, more fuel-efficient cars than they did 20 years ago, they were spending less to maintain the state's highways.
"The public realizes the need for safe roads," he said. "They are already paying to maintain an inadequate highway system. The individual driver pays $289 a year to drive on poor roads because of his car maintenance costs."
"We need to arrest the current deterioration of the roads and improve upon them,"
Morris said.
The highway program approved by the Senate includes a sales tax increase from 4 percent to 4.5 percent, of which a fraction would go to financing of education. The increase has an attempt by State Sen. Bob Boulton R.Overland Park, to remove it from the bill.
"I feel that it is inappropriate to fund the highways through the method of sales tax." Bond said. "The sales tax has been a source of funding for local units of government."
"If we vote down the use of sales tax, we will be sending a strong message to the House that we don't want to use the sales tax."
State Sen, Ben Vidricksen, R-Salina, said he supported the inclusion of sales tax as a means of financing the highway program.
"People will support a half cent sales tax to fund highways," he said.
Financing the program by a sales tax increase has been the notice or protested by increased businesses, he added.
The bill also provided for an increase in motor fuels tax by 7 cents during a four-year period, increased registration fees for cars and motor vehicles, issuance of as much as $1.1 billion in bonds.
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