Rep. Donohoe tackles budget issues at the Capitol

I have returned to the Kansas Legislature and am working diligently on legislation and budget appropriations. Please stay informed through my legislative updates.

For the third consecutive month, Kansas state revenue collections fell far short of expectations. The deficit for Fiscal Year 2010 through February is now $105 million, and the budget shortfall for FY2011 is projected at $416 million – and growing.

Legislators are looking at budget cuts out of necessity, in order to stem the tide of plunging revenues. I have spent considerable time studying budget areas to be reduced, listening to voters’ concerns and presenting them with the facts. I have compiled in-depth resources for you to access easily on my web site.

Here’s a closer look at the deficit challenge in Kansas:

A closer look at the education budget

Education accounts for more than 52% of the state budget, and in the past four years, education spending in Kansas has increased 42%. In FY2010, Kansas taxpayers will devote $3.7 billion to education, while other critical programs have taken deep cuts. We must be fair with all areas of the budget, and education will have to fall in line with other reductions in the FY11 budget. Learn more about education spending.

Also, a recent study consistent with findings from the Kansas Division of Post Audit has found that the majority of school districts allocate only about 55% to instructional costs. Learn more >>

Kansas schools’ $1.4+ billion in reserves may help solve funding issues
Legislators recently learned that school districts in Kansas are sitting on at least $1.4 billion in cash reserves. Officials from the Kansas Policy Institute and the Kansas Association of School Boards both presented reports that showed Kansas schools have more than $1.458 billion in cash reserves. Learn more >>

Audit shows school consolidation could save millions
Consolidating the smallest of Kansas’ 293 school districts potentially would save taxpayers at least $18 million and perhaps as much as $138 million, Kansas legislative auditors reported Monday. Kansas currently has 32 districts too small to reach standards set nearly 50 years ago (which suggest at least 400 students and sufficient geographic and tax bases to support an elementary through high school system of that size). Consolidating them with nearby districts would cut education costs across the state by at least $18 million, and possibly as much as $138 million if the state would redraw boundaries for consolidation of school districts. Learn more about school consolidation >>

Catastrophic aid for special education
In a Legislative Education Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting, I heard testimony from school districts and special education cooperatives about the recent challenges to the catastrophic special education aid. The number of students qualifying for catastrophic special education aid has increased by nearly 900% over a 5-year period, with only three school districts getting more than 70% of the funding last year. Special education is a key piece of the education budget, which accounts for more than 50% of the state budget, so we must address this issue swiftly. Learn more. >>

Committee Assignments
I am on three House committees this year, Appropriations, Health & Human Services, and Economic Development/Tourism. These are areas I gave much attention to during my campaign, and they are now of critical importance in Kansas. I am pleased that I have an important role on these committees. As your voice in Topeka, I'll continue to report on these and other key issues you want to hear about. Learn more about the work of these committees here.

Staying in Touch
You'll find my legislative web page here, with links to many resources of the Kansas State Legislature. On this site, you'll find more information in the weeks ahead about legislation we're considering.

I hope you'll sign up for email updates and stay informed about important issues and activities.
It's a great way to be a part of the legislative process.

Sincerely,

Owen Donohoe                                                             

785-296-7682                                                                

donohoe@house.state.ks.us                                                        Sign up for email updates >>