TALKING POINTS FOR CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR LEGISLATOR AND FOR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
•	Money spent on schools is an investment in the future of our state. Schools provide the trained workforce which keeps and brings businesses to Kansas. Cities, counties, economic development agencies and the state all use our schools as a selling point for economic development.
•	School layoffs caused by state budget cuts have already eliminated 3,700 jobs in the state of Kansas, which has a direct impact on our economy. Education opponents say a tax increase might slow job growth, but additional education funding cuts definitely will eliminate additional middle-class teaching jobs from the economy.
•	ALL school districts in the state are struggling. Larger districts are struggling to retain acceptable class sizes and programs, small districts are struggling just to survive.
•	Larger class sizes threaten academic achievement. The Legislative Post Audit Study commissioned by the Kansas Legislature in 2006 showed a direct correlation between spending and student achievement. “..We can be more than 99% confident there is a relationship between spending and outcomes.”
•	School funding was cut by the state even more than is apparent because it was backfilled with federal stimulus dollars, which will not be available for the 2011/2012 school year.
•	The revenue stream has been dramatically decreased over the last decade; sales tax exemptions have more than tripled since 1985.
•	Tax exemptions and credits are spending in disguise, targeted to special interests, and should be part of the budget process.
•	The tax burden has not increased; it has shifted, due to the many exemptions offered to special interest groups.
•	We must restore our revenue base to protect services to schools, the disabled, and our seniors.
•	Exemptions should not be made without considering what services will have to be reduced to accommodate the special interest group receiving the break.
•	Just as individuals are more prosperous with more education, states are more prosperous if they have more well-educated citizens.
•	Kansas public schools serve 90% of the school-aged population.
•	Home property values are dependent on strong well funded schools
•	A good education will put more money in your pocket than any tax cut ever has or ever will.
•	When legislators say schools should be more “efficient,” that means larger class sizes, older textbooks, shorter school years, and the elimination of programs such as the arts, music and athletics.
•	2006 Legislation eliminated the estate tax, reducing revenue available for schools, the disabled and elderly by $47 million in 2011.
•	The Corporate Franchise tax was phased out and will be eliminated in 2012. That cost schools, the disabled and elderly more than $37 million in 2011
•	The state will have reduced revenues of more than $1 billion in 2009 from tax exemptions.
•	Day Kindergarten could possibly be discontinued or drastically reduced in some districts.
•	If a tax increase is required to protect schools, services to the disabled and our seniors then I call on the legislature to do so.
•	I adamantly oppose any additional cuts to public services such as schools, the disabled, etc.
Articles and Editorials about Tax Exemptions: Exemptions We Subsidize Legislators not giving up on tax breaks Time to repeal tax exemptions Time to repeal tax exemptions Exemptions may be halted House Panel to review exemptions Analyst: Tax Cuts Rob Many – Pay Few
WHO IS MAKING THE DECISIONS ABOUT SCHOOL FUNDING AND OTHER VITAL SERVICES? HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: WILL DETERMINE WHAT IS CUT Kevin Yoder, Chairperson; Ray Merrick, Vice-chairperson; Dave Crum, Pete DeGraaf, Owen Donohoe, John Faber,Don Hineman, Mitch Holmes, Kasha Kelley, Peggy Mast, Joe McLeland, Marc Rhoades, Lee Tafanelli, Jeff Whitham.Bill Feuerborn, Ranking Minority Member; Barbara Ballard, Tom Burroughs, Sydney Carlin, Niles Dillmore, Doug Gatewood, Jerry Henry, Harold Lane, Jerry Williams HOUSE TAX COMMITTEE: DETERMINE WHAT IF ANY TAXES CAN BE RAISED OR EXEMPTIONS REPEALED Richard Carlson, Chairperson; Jeff King, Vice-chairperson; Anthony Brown, Pat George, Mario Goico, Gary Hayzlett, Marvin Kleeb, Bill Light, Virgil Peck, Larry Powell, Don Schroeder, Sharon Schwartz, Arlen Siegfreid, Kay Wolf, Julie Menghini, Ranking Minority Member; Lisa Benlon, Stan Frownfelter, Dolored Furtado, Tom Hawk, Steve Lukert, Melody McCray-Miller, Gene Rardin, Don Svaty How To Contact: By phone: Legislative Hotline – 785-296-2149 By Email: FirstName.LastName@house.ks.gov By Mail: Honorable First Last, Kansas State Capitol, 300 SW 10th St., Topeka, KS 66612 (room #’s may be found at Kansas Legislature, but will be delivered with or without.) SENATE TAX COMMITTEE: DETERMINE WHAT IF ANY TAXES CAN BE RAISED OR EXEMPTIONS REPEALED Les Donovan, Chairperson; Julia Lynn, Vice Chairperson; Derek Schmidt, Vice Chairperson; Karin Brownlee, Jeff Colyer, Terrie Huntington, Bob Marshall, Tom Holland, Ranking Minority Member, Chris Steineger SENATE WAYS AND MEANS: DETERMINE WHAT CUTS IF ANY WILL BE MADE Jay Emler, Chairperson; Carolyn McGinn, Vice Chairperson; John Vratil, Vice Chairperson; Pat Apple, Ty Masterson, Vicki Schmidt, Jean Schodorf, Mark Taddiken, Ruth Teichman, Dwayne Umbarger,Laura Kelly, Ranking Minority Member; Kelly Kultala, Janis Lee How To Contact: By phone: Legislative Hotline – 785-296-2149 By Email: FirstName.LastName@senate.ks.gov By Mail: Honorable First Last, Kansas State Capitol, 300 SW 10th St., Topeka, KS 66612 (room #’s may be found at Kansas Legislature, but will be delivered with or without.) ALWAYS CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR: TO FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR VISIT Kansas Legislature OR SEND US AN E-MAIL
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