By NICK BUDD
Hays Post
Issues surrounding school finance and the budget took center stage at the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce’s first Eggs & Issues forum on Saturday morning.
State legislators recently passed a budget for the 2015 fiscal year that diverts highway and other special funds into the state’s general fund to cover a near $350 million shortfall. As revenues continue to fall away from projections and bond ratings get lower, 110th District Rep. Sue Boldra, R-Hays, and 40th District Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer, R-Grinnell, were asked what should be done with the income tax cuts signed into law by Gov. Sam Brownback.
“I don’t see how we can come out of this without raising the income taxes a little bit,” Boldra said.
On the other hand, Ostmeyer, a 10-year veteran in the Senate chamber, had a different opinion, due to the weak economy in Kansas. Over the past few months, Kansas has lagged behind other neighboring states in job growth and other factors.
“I don’t want to raise any new taxes. I don’t think the economy needs it right now, and I don’t think it could stand it either,” he said.
Ostmeyer also said he was “totally against” raising sin taxes on alcohol and cigarettes in the state.
After Brownback slashed education funding earlier this week, community members also made it clear they continue to worry about the state’s funding of education. At the beginning of 2015, a Shawnee County District Court panel found that the state does not fund education at an adequate level.
“We all know the state Constitution tells us we have to fund an adequate education, but nobody can tell us what that means,” Boldra said. “The court didn’t put a dollar amount in there.”
Both legislators did agree the school finance formula needs to be revamped. Brownback emphasized a plan to change the funding formula during this year’s State of the State address.
“There are some changes that need to be made and I know (our rural schools) are worried that they’ll lose if it’s changed,” Boldra said. “We’ve changed (the formula) and haven’t gone back to look at the whole thing. … I know it’s going to create a lot of angst for many of us, but it’s something we have to do.”
“The formula was good when it came out in 1992,” Ostmeyer added. “We’re sending a lot of money toward education that’s not getting back to the classroom. … In Goddard, they replaced a high school that was barely 10 years old and now it looks like a junior college.”
Legislators also discussed a bill that would bring hard liquor and full-strength beer to grocery stores by 2018. Boldra is seeking the opinion of her constituents while Ostmeyer does not support the legislation.