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Lawmakers gear up for wild second half
After a five-day recess, lawmakers reconvened on Wednesday to kick off the latter half of the 2024 Legislative Session. Legislative activity started quietly with Pro Forma sessions held on Wednesday and Friday. Although committee work resumed gradually, the pace will hasten with more than 75 hearings scheduled for the upcoming week. Traditionally, the pace intensifies post-Turnaround as the deadline for bill submissions looms. Buckle up!
Amidst the anticipation surrounding the Legislature's response to Governor Laura Kelly's tax bill veto, other contentious issues are starting to emerge. Topics such as foreign land ownership, gender transitioning, age verification for pornography websites, and medical marijuana are slated to be on the agenda for March.
Statewide coalition of childcare providers issues plea
This week, a coalition of more than 1,000 early childhood providers in the Sunflower state urged lawmakers to support Governor Laura Kelly's early childhood budget proposal.
In an impassioned letter, childcare providers and stakeholders from all 105 counties underscored the indispensable nature of high-quality childcare as a foundational infrastructure for Kansas children and the state's economy. They emphasized the critical need for affordable childcare, asserting that investing in early childhood programs outlined in the budget would enhance accessibility and affordability from urban hubs like Kansas City to rural communities like Garden City.
See the story from the Kansas Reflector here.
Governor Kelly's proposed $56 million investment is the largest single-year allocation in the state's history.
"It's imperative for legislators to heed the expertise of these professionals and approve the vital budget proposals aimed at expanding access to childcare, supporting our working families and businesses, and fostering economic growth," said Kelly.
Key highlights of the governor's budget proposal are:
Early Learning Investment: The budget earmarks $56.4 million to expand childcare slots and bolster the workforce, addressing the pressing demand for approximately 85,000 childcare slots in the state.
Infrastructure Support: $30 million will be allocated for grants to construct new childcare facilities, while an additional $15 million will go towards home-based childcare providers to offset operational expenses.
Continued Federal Assistance: Recognizing the ongoing impact of the pandemic, the budget acknowledges the necessity of federal funding to sustain childcare operations and workforce stability. However, to mitigate potential disruptions, the budget proposes state-level funding to fortify facilities, support wages, and ensure accessibility for working families.
Pilot Program for Rural Communities: A $5 million allocation will establish a pilot program in Northwest Kansas, demonstrating innovative public-private partnerships to enhance childcare services in rural areas—a crucial step towards equitable access across the state.
The House Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development Committee will hear the Governor's Office of Early Childhood proposal (HB 2785) on Wednesday, March 6. Individuals interested in providing testimony are encouraged to contact Aligned for further details on how to participate.
Research finds five days is better than four
Kansas is witnessing a notable shift in its educational landscape, with more public schools adopting a four-day academic week. This year, 77 school buildings across 29 districts have switched, up from 60 buildings in 2023.
Randy Watson, Commissioner of Education for the Kansas Board of Education, discussed the widespread adoption of four-day weeks, especially in smaller, rural districts, driven by cost-saving measures and teacher retention efforts.
However, concerns arise regarding the effects on student learning. Researchers of the Kansas State Department of Education found that five-day schools outperformed four-day schools on state assessments and ACT scores. Commissioner Watson emphasized the need for a nuanced understanding of these findings.
Cathy Hopkins, a Kansas State Board of Education member, stressed the importance of community autonomy in decision-making, acknowledging diverse perspectives. For many rural families, the extra day off allows for essential tasks, potentially promoting student and educator well-being.
President of the Kansas National Education Association, Sherri Schwanz, highlighted food insecurity, childcare, and resource equity concerns.
Ward Cassidy, Executive Director of the Kansas School Board Resource Center, cautioned against prioritizing adult preferences over student achievement.
David Dorsey, an adjunct scholar at the Kansas Policy Institute, expressed skepticism about the impact of a shorter school week, especially at the elementary level, citing attention span and instructional quality.
Furthermore, worries persist about students who rely on school meals and widening educational disparities.
Budget Update
Budget committees had a short week but delved into some agency budgets. The Senate Ways and Means Committee focused mainly on social services agencies, where differences in appropriations between the House and Senate often arise due to varying priorities.
The Senate committee allocated additional funds for dental services for Medicaid recipients and increased funding for physicians serving Medicaid patients. Discussions continued on the ongoing topic of using budget surpluses to raise wages to address workforce issues.
The House Appropriations Committee tackled social services agencies; while there were similar rate increases to those in the Senate, the House delayed discussion on items related to the Omnibus budget. Crafting the Omnibus budget occurs at the end of session.
Both committee chairs anticipate passing their initial budgets by the end of the following week, paving the way for debate on the "Mega budget" bill in both chambers.
Read our full legislative report.
Key 2024 Legislative Deadlines
- March 22 - Last day for non-exempt committees to meet
- March 28 - Last day for non-exempt bills in either Chamber
- April 5 - First Adjournment (Drop Dead Day)
- April 29 - Veto Session begins
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