House lawmakers have passed a new spending plan for Kansas schools, on a vote of 84-39. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
The bill would increase school funding by $280 million over two years. That’s in response to a state Supreme Court ruling that says Kansas schools are not adequately funded.
Republican Don Hineman is the House majority leader.
“The bill provides significant additional funding. While we may debate the amount, this much is certain, we must be willing to live up to our obligation and actually provide the funding we promise,” says Hineman.
Some critics of the plan say it doesn’t provide enough new money and could be rejected by the Kansas Supreme Court justices. Senators have been working on their own school funding proposal and could debate it next week.
Thursday marks the 101st day of what was scheduled to be a 100-day session. Legislative staff members say each overtime day costs taxpayers around $45,000.