The Kansas House has given first approval to a bill that would cut 35 million dollars out of the current budget. Supporters of the bill say that’s needed to help with a projected budget deficit for the coming fiscal year. The legislation would also mean around 20 million dollars less for K through 12 education in Kansas. Representative Ed Trimmer, a Winfield Democrat, said that move would mean school districts would have to cut staff.
The 20 million dollars taken from education would be put into special education funding. The move would stop Kansas from losing federal matching dollars that help pay for special education. Marc Rhoades, a Newton Republican, chairs the House Appropriations Committee. He told the House that the funding transfer is not a cut to education.
The House could take a final vote on the bill later today (WED), before sending the proposal to the Senate.