Fireworks in State House
State lawmakers ordered back to court
In a hearing set for July 8 the Supreme Court wants state lawmakers to explain why they didn't comply with a legitimate court order and do the right thing by Kansas students.
"KNEA is horrified that the 2005 Kansas Legislature has not approved a responsible plan that responds to our public schools need for funding," said KNEA President Christy Levings. "Hundreds of thousands of children and thousands of teachers are set to begin school within a month and we still don't know if school doors will actually open."
"As we approach Independence Day, the day we celebrate our democratic freedoms, the members of the Kansas House conservative leadership are trying to undermine those freedoms," she said.
"The Senate has twice has presented responsible plans that responded to the court order and did the right thing by Kansas kids. There is a coalition of Republicans and Democrats ready to do right by schools and the Kansas Constitution. But the Conservative House leadership, led by Doug Mays, has blocked every attempt to solve this problem. They have been holding our students hostage."
"It is an irresponsible and cruel thing to do to kids and teachers," Levings said. "We are angry at those few who have held our students hostage for the sake of a vendetta against the court… because they're unhappy with a court ruling."
"We need to remember this in November 2006. For now, it is time to quit playing games and put kids first," Levings said.
"The Court gave a lawful order. The Legislature hasn't followed it. One remedy is to order the state to not distribute any more money to public schools until the Legislature complies with the June ruling," said General Counsel David Schauner. "At the July 8 hearing the state will need to demonstrate why the court should NOT take such action."
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