Capitol View

The legislature had a busy week as we finished up the general session. We adjourned the general session on Friday and return for the veto session May 1.

The tax committee pushed to study the work that came in the last week from our Senate partners. We were able to advance some issues and began our work in conference committee to learn what additional measures we may pass.

The big issue was education funding. This is a large piece of the puzzle we need to move forward for many in the state.

Senate Bill 16 added $92.7 million to K-12 state foundation aid. With the resulting increase in KPERS contributions, the total dollars for 2020 are $104.5 million. For fiscal year 2021 the total increase is $114.2 million. The bill was passed by solid majorities in both the House (76-47) and Senate (31-8) and was signed by the governor on Saturday. It is good to have a clear direction from state leaders. This position needs to be provided to the attorney general to prepare for the next step of the lawsuit.

While I did not vote for the bill, I support the decision of the majority and know our school boards and leaders will work to invest the money well. The vote was difficult, as we need to address the lawsuit. Also, I knew how important this funding is to many key leaders in our community and appreciate several of them communicating with me as the vote approached.

Politically, I knew a “yes” vote would receive a few “thank you” messages, and no such messages resulted from voting “no”. I have heard from some directly and indirectly who are understandably upset with my vote, so I will share some of my perspective.

For several years, education and other areas were underfunded. We started 2017 with a $300 million shortfall in the budget and a need to address the Gannon lawsuit. Working together with the K-12 budget committee, we passed a funding plan and tax bill to fill the budget deficit, and add roughly $300 million to K-12 between equity remedies and state foundation aid. In 2018, we again faced the lawsuit and debate over a suitable education.

As a reminder, how many of us know the additional amount the state has already committed to K-12? It is another $104 million for 2020, $104 million for 2021, again in 2022 and finally in 2023. The increases were spread over a few years so it was easier on the budget and because there was some discussion that we might not be able to efficiently deploy a large infusion in one year. The downside of slower implementation is that our school leaders are still struggling to make ends meet as we are only one year into the five years of scheduled budget increases.

On previous school funding bills I voted “yes”. These measures include the $266 million equity increase, the $217.6 million increase in 2017 and the additional $472.7 million added in the 2018 bill. These numbers are totals in 2023 which is the last year of the scheduled increases.

When the K-12 conference committee discussion ended last week, I spoke with one of the representatives for Schools for Fair Funding. He informed me their position remains that this bill does not provide enough funding.

What we did not do in 2018 was pass additional revenue to cover the increase in the budget. Several of us guessed the 2017 tax bill would bring in more than projected, but not another $473 million. As we look forward, the projected shortfall in expenses vs. revenue approaches $400 million in fiscal year 2022. That is the year our positive ending balance will be extinguished.

My concern is to be mindful of where we are headed. Our budget will work next year.

However, the next legislature will face growing fiscal issues. We can figure it out, but we need to start working on it together. How much do we spend and how do we best pay for it? The answers are not easy.

Looking at other budget issues, I don’t believe there are major spending cuts. In fact, there are areas where increases may also be needed. If we had another $90 million to invest across Kansas, what would it do to help mental health, waiting lists for services, foster care, corrections or even Medicaid expansion?

We need to continue these discussions of priorities together, along with whether and which taxes to consider increasing. It is my hope my vote will stimulate some small amount of this discussion.

The week’s high point was having pages come from Ellsworth. The eighth grade class writes essays to determine who will make the trip, and I very much look forward to meeting and working with these young leaders each year. Our day was not a very traditional one on the House floor, as they watched the process of sending bills through conference committees.

I will continue working on several issues over the April break and look forward to catching up at home. Thanks to everyone who made it to forums at Wilson and Ellsworth on Saturday. Thank you for reading and have a great week!

Rep. Steven Johnson, an Assaria Republican, represents the 108th House District, which covers all of Ellsworth County. He can be reached at (785) 296-7696 or steven.johnson@house.ks. gov