Welcome back to The Advocate!

Leah Fliter and Shannon Kimball discuss the recently passed K-12 Budget bill, SB 387, which fully funds the Gannon formula and provides an additional $75 million in state funding to special education. The team also looks back at the successful lobbying efforts for public education earlier this year. Though the regular legislative session has ended, Governor Laura Kelly could call everyone back due to not reaching an agreement on a state tax cut bill. Thank you, Leah and Shannon, for your work this session!

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Tune in for the latest from Leah and Shannon at the Statehouse! 

This week, they cover House Sub for SB 387, enrollment count and literacy bills in the Senate and the conference committees that will begin meeting next week. 

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In this episode, Leah & Shannon discuss the recent Day at the Capitol hosted by KASB, which brought together advocates from across the state to meet with their legislators and share their stories about the successes of public education. They also discuss the upcoming debate over the K-12 Education Budget bill and how the legislature is trying to attempt to give the façade of a fully funded special education by diverting local tax dollars through SB 387. 

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Leah and Shannon cover SB 387, the K-12 education budget. SB 387 has numerous controversial provisions, including counting local taxes as part of SPED funding.

Also, join us on March 21 for KASB's Day at the Capitol! This event brings public education advocates together to tell the story of public education at the capitol and meet with their legislators. Register here!

This week, Leah and Shannon discuss the controversial voucher bill, SB 509, which received overwhelming opposition compared to supporters. They also talk about the continued SPED funding shortfall, and how the upcoming K12 Education Budget Committee may affect funding in the future, plus much more. 

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Catch up on the latest from the Kansas State House with The Advocate!

Leah and Shannon discuss Thursday's SPED Funding briefing in the Senate Education Committee, setting the record straight about SPED funding, totaling a $432 Million shortfall in SPED funding for districts across the state. The team also covers SB 509, another attempt to create voucher programs in Kansas, and much more. 

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It was turnaround week in the legislature with two big bills not making it out of the Senate Education Committee, including SB 437, the KEEP program bill, and SB 465, providing additional capital outlay for safety, security, and ADA compliance. 

Also, listen in to learn about recent developments on SB 469, an ESA voucher bill recently "blessed" by the legislature. 

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Leah and Shannon covered HB 2738 this week, which received a hearing in the House K12 Education Budget Committee. HB 2738 would change how funding is counted and then falsely assert that the legislature is more than fully funding special education. 

They also discuss bills testified on by KASB in the House Education Committee. These bills included legislation prohibiting cell phones in school buildings during the school day and another that would set up a book rating system by the legislature rather than keeping the issue to local control. 

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Leah Fliter and Shannon Kimball have had a busy week of hearings and testifying against several controversial bills making their way through the legislature. 

Some of these bills include provisions that can allow almost anyone to challenge the accreditation status of any public school in Kansas, as well as a bill that could cut at-risk funding to districts. 

Looking forward, next week is set to be just as contentious with several high-profile bills being heard, including a bill on banning cell phones in school buildings, and one on censoring books. 

Submit testimony to k.12.budget@house.ks.gov for next Tuesday's hearing.

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In this episode, Leah and Shannon discuss several bills KASB testified on this past week. Leah also discusses her recent trip to D.C. to advocate for public education at the Capitol! Several KASB Staff and public education advocates had the opportunity to meet with some Senators and staffers to discuss the importance of fully funding special education.

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The 2024 Kansas Legislative Session has kicked off, and the KASB Advocacy Team is here to update you on all new and developing news from the state house. 

Join Leah Fliter and newly added Advocacy team member Shannon Kimball as they discuss the January 5 Special Education Task Force, Governor Laura Kelly's budget proposal, school vouchers, and much more!

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