Legislative Session: 2018 in Summary
Legislature Adjourned for the Year, Awaiting School Finance Decision
The Legislature adjourned on Friday, May 4 after the House failed to get the votes needed to pass the Senate’s tax bill. The measure, which used federal tax changes to provide tax cuts for Kansans, passed the Senate on a close 21-19 vote, but failed in the House 59-59. Legislative leadership made farewell speeches and thanked their colleagues and staff for their hard work throughout the session. They adjourned, bringing the 2018 session to a close.
It is possible that legislators may find themselves back in Topeka later this summer for a special session if the Supreme Court rules against the school finance package passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor earlier this year. Attorney General Schmidt argued that the new funding package addresses the concerns laid out by the court, and asks for it to operate through the 2019 school year, even if the court does find it inadequate. The plaintiffs argue that the Legislature rejected its own study that it commissioned and want the court to maintain the original June 30 deadline for the Legislature to come up with an acceptable package or face school closures.
If the Legislature does have to return for a special session to address further school funding issues, there are no restrictions on what other topics they can take up once they’re back in Topeka. Tax policy could still resurface at that time.
Oral arguments are scheduled for May 22. After that, it’s difficult to predict how long it will take for the court to issue its decision. The content and timing of the decision will determine whether the Legislature can wait to make any further changes to the school funding formula until 2019 or what they will have to work with in the event of a special session.
