Tag Archives: Local Politics

GOP leaders, governor negotiating over Kansas school funding

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By JOHN HANNA AP Political Writer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Top Republican legislators and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly negotiated Thursday over funding for Kansas’ public schools and proposals aimed at helping some parents send their children to private schools.

Conservative Republicans have tried to tie an increase in aid to the state’s 286 local public school districts to “school choice” initiatives but have been unable to pass a bill with that combination. Democrats and education groups would prefer to provide the money with no new strings.

Kelly’s office and GOP leaders hadn’t reached a deal as of Thursday afternoon. However, legislative leaders where hopeful enough to appoint three senators and three House members to draft the final version of an education funding and policy bill with whatever the governor and top Republicans eventually work out.

The Republican-controlled Legislature cannot wrap up its business for the year without finishing work on a spending blueprint for state government approaching $21 billion for the budget year that begins July 1. Funding for public schools would account for $5.2 billion in spending.

“It’s just a back and forth,” said House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., an Olathe Republican, who is involved in the talks with Kelly.

Ryckman and other GOP legislative leaders hoped lawmakers could finish the year’s business late Friday or on Saturday, but lawmakers on Thursday still had to hash out numerous budget and policy issues.

Those issues included additional funding for the state’s court system, pay raises for state government employees and additional funding for higher education.

Kelly proposed an increase in education funding of $263 million, or 5.3%, in line with a law enacted in 2019 to resolve a 2010 lawsuit against the state brought by four school districts. That lawsuit remains before the Kansas Supreme Court, and Democrats believe failing to provide as money as Kelly has recommended will prompt the justices to intervene.

“I want to keep us out of court,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Republican.

The House last month approved a bill containing Kelly’s spending, but it also passed a proposal from conservative Republicans that would send education funds to education savings accounts for academically troubled students that could be used to pay for private schooling. The bill also would have expanded a program that gives a state income tax credit for donations to scholarship funds that help at-risk students attend private schools.

Democrats and education groups argue that education savings accounts potentially could siphon tens of millions of dollars from public schools.

“The education savings account piece is extremely problematic and needs to go,” said Mark Desetti, a lobbyist for the state’s largest teachers union.

House Republicans’ combination of proposals failed in the Senate on a 20-20 vote last month, lessening some conservatives’ expectations for what can pass. Sen. Beverly Gossage, a Eudora Republican, said giving parents a choice of where to send their children to school is important because not all students flourish in public schools.

But, she added, “We do have to have something that will pass.”

Yet some Republicans haven’t given up on getting some version of their initiatives tied to public school funding.

“I think there will be good policy in it,” said Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican and chair of a House committee on education funding.

The debate is complicated by questions about higher education funding.

Kelly’s budget director, Adam Proffitt, told lawmakers in a memo Sunday that the U.S. Department of Education is requiring states to maintain “historic funding” for higher education to receive their full share of coronavirus relief funds.

Proffitt recommended an additional $53 million for the next budget and $106 million more for the budget year beginning July 1, 2022. Some Republicans are skeptical, and lawmakers were negotiating among themselves Thursday.

Neosho discusses performing arts center partnership with the school district

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NEOSHO, Mo. – The City of Neosho, Missouri and the Neosho School District are looking into a partnership regarding the construction of a new performing arts center at the school.

The city will waive some project fees in exchange for the school district handling construction features including: two crosswalks and sidewalks, rerouting hill street north of the high school and improving storm water handling at the site.

“I appreciate their willingness to work with us, said Neosho School Superintendent Jim Cummins. “It’s one of those situations where we are all kind of here to support our kids and our town. They got to think about their bottom line, and we’ve got to think about ours.”

The Neosho City Council Tuesday considered initial approval of the agreement. The council also voted to accept a $2.5 million grant to address flooding issues.

The city is contributing $150,000 to that effort.

Missouri legislature works to increase tobacco age to 21 to reflect federal law

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JOPLIN, Mo. – In December 2019, the federal legal age to purchase tobacco products went up from 18 to 21. According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, more than 30 states have updated their state laws to reflect the change. That doesn’t currently include Missouri, but legislators are working to change that.

“We thought it was easiest for us to pass as a state level to ensure that all municipalities across the state are 21, and also to provide some consistency,” says Representative Dan Shaul.

House Bill 517 would increase the age to purchase tobacco products in Missouri to 21. This part of the bill would bring the state up to par with the federal law — since all retailers have been required to sell only to those over 21 since December 2019, regardless of the state they’re in. Shaul explains that it would do more than that. After tobacco 21 was passed back in ’19, he says they saw municipalities across the state pass ordinances that mirrored the federal law — which caused confusion for consumers and store owners.

“It’s a complete level playing field across the state,” says Shaul.

The bill would also make it so that municipalities and county governments cannot enact their own tobacco regulations.

“The states have to adopt this language. If they don’t, they lose out on funding,” says A.J. Moll, Executive Director of Missouri Smoke Free.

Missouri Smoke Free is a non-profit that advocates for tobacco harm reduction. A.J. Moll, the groups executive director, supports the bill — saying it’s simple legislation that makes sense.

“Currently we have kind of a hodgepodge of laws across the state. So, you might be able to purchase tobacco at 18 in one city over, and at 21 at another city over.  It kind of confuses retailers. So, this is gonna put everything together ” explains Moll. “It’s a solid bill. It’s very clean, it’s very simple. We’re all for local control, but when you’ve got a hodgepodge of laws across the state and retailers don’t know what to do, and minors and young adults don’t have any idea what the law is, it creates a problem.”

“It’s a non issue. I mean, this issue is done and over. We’ve been talking about it for years now. It’s a federal law, it’s 21, and Missouri just needs to be on board and compliant just like all the other states.”

But the American Heart Association opposes the bill.

“We know that Missouri is not a one size fits all state,” says Maura Gray, Missouri Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association.

Gray says that taking away local government’s ability to enact their own tobacco regulations would harm the people they govern.

“It was our local governments that were the first ones to pass tobacco 21 ordinances, and they were also the first ones to pass smoke free laws. And so we want to be able to give them the ability to pass these kinds of ordinances,” says Gray. “Local governments should be able to innovate at the local level, and the states should be able to help them do that and should support them in that endeavor. It’s our local governments who know what’s best for their communities because they’re the ones that work in and around them.”

On April 21st, the bill was passed through the Committee on Downsizing State Government. It now has to go through the rules committee before going to the full House.

Joplin Council lifts restrictions on indoor gatherings

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JOPLIN, Mo. – The Joplin City Council Monday night voted to move to Phase 3 of its COVID-19 Response and Recovery Plan.

Moving to Phase 3 means the city is lifting restrictions on indoor gatherings. The city already lifted mask mandates and some restrictions on outdoor gathering.

Private businesses might still enforce mask rules and social distancing, but those are not required by the city.

“Its one of those things where I just don’t think we want to feel like we went too soon,” said Joplin Mayor Ryan Stanley. “I think council’s starting to feel significantly more confident that the hard work has been done. Now we can become a little bit more accommodating and less restrictive.”

Council also approved a proposed project to widen 32nd Street between Schifferdecker Avenue and Central City Road.

Joplin Police Department takes voluntary accreditation assessment.

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JOPLIN, Mo. – The Joplin Police Department took a virtual assessment Tuesday for reaccreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA.)

(Previous story: Joplin Police Department undergoes virtual reaccreditation assessment)

Accreditation is a voluntary way to show a law enforcement agency’s ability to meet professional criteria. It requires departments to meet standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.

“Well for the police department and their accreditation with CALEA, they were having a public hearing to basically have a voice from the community on people who would like to speak in favor of the police, or at least address that accreditation,” said Joplin Mayor Ryan Stanley. “So it’s just giving an opportunity for the public to speak into the process ”

The public was also invited to offer comments during the meeting, but no one did.

Newton County to vote on ambulance district tax levy rate

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NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. – Voters in Newton County, Missouri will head to the polls Tuesday, April 6 to vote on a new tax levy rate for the county’s ambulance district.

The current levy rate is not quite 19 cents per 100 dollars of assessed valuation. If approved, the new rate would be 35 cents. Officials with the ambulance district say the levy raise would help pay for new equipment and provide more competitive wages for the districts workers.

“Because of television and things a lot of people think we are part of the fire department,” said Newton County Ambulance Chief Rusty Tinney. “We’re a completely different entity. You know there are more fire trucks and police cars in this county than there are ambulances. Again we have six ambulances to cover the entire county.”

Nevada, MO voters will see two school bond proposals on the ballot

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NEVADA, Mo. – On Tuesday, April 6, Nevada, Missouri voters will decide on two school bond proposals.

One, a nearly $14 million proposal, would fund repairs to several elementary schools and improvements at the high school football stadium. The second, a $12 million proposal would fund the construction of a new elementary school.

That new school would also be partially funded by a $10 million dollar donation.

Carl Junction to reintroduce use tax on April ballot

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CARL JUNCTION, Mo. – The City of Carl Junction, Missouri is reintroducing a use tax on the April ballot.

If passed, it would tax online purchases at an equal amount to the city’s sales tax which is 3%. The measure failed in the 2020 election. City officials say it’s needed to fund improvements to city parks, sidewalks and streets.

“To generate a little bit more revenue for the city we have several protects that have been ongoing,” said Carl Junction City Administrator Steve Lawver. “Over several years we just don’t have the funds to complete, and we need to get those completed.”

Residents can learn more about the proposed use tax at a meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m. at Randy’s Drive-In. Municipal election day in Missouri is on April 6, 2021

Joplin approves resource management studies of police and fire departments

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JOPLIN, Mo. – Joplin City Council Monday approved contracts for studies to look at the best use of resources of the police and fire departments.

For the police department, council approved a contract with Etico Solutions for $39,000. That company’s study of the department is expected to be completed in November.

For the fire department, council approved a $37,500 dollar contract with a firm called Canfield Jenkins and Associates. Officials expect that study to be done after June.

“This is part of an action plan which is part of a larger vision to improve service to the community,” said Joplin City Manager Nick Edwards. “That’s primarily why we are here to provide that service certainly our public safety service, our critical services that we need to mindful of.”

The council also looked at a design for a new logo. The design shown today was tabled with a new design expected to be shown at a later meeting.

Joplin gets low marks in annual Community Report Card

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JOPLIN, Mo. – The City of Joplin just received their 2020 Community Report Card, with mostly low rankings.

The report was done by One Joplin, a private non-profit that describes themselves as the glue bringing together nonprofits, businesses, and government entities to solve community issues. Ashley Micklethwaite, executive director of One Joplin says the information on the report comes from data mining through local and national public information sources like the census, department of health and CDC.

This data was then used to display areas where Joplin needs improvements. Each category was ranked using a traffic light system.

“Think about it like a stop light,” said Micklethwaite. “So if it’s red we need to stop, we need to be looking in both directions. If it’s yellow, which is a caution, it could be improving or it could be declining. And then green is ‘hey, we are on track.’”

The categories ranged anywhere from health to income to education, where Joplin received mostly red and yellow lights. The biggest issue Joplin is currently facing, is housing

“Housing; safe, affordable housing,” said Micklethwaite. “The difference in rent and the burden of income to rent versus income to mortgage is substantial in Joplin.”

She says to combat this issue, the city needs more social services.

“For example, the economic security corporation just finished building and opening up the bungalows. It’s that type of work and housing that we need in Joplin.”

Debbie Markman, resource development director at the Economic Security Corporation in Joplin says the city needs to take action.

“It would be great if we could get wages up,” said Markman. “So that folks could then afford their housing themselves, and not have to rely on other entities to fill the gap.”

Markman adds that bringing up lower income neighborhoods will contribute to Joplin’s health overall.

Joplin city officials declined to comment about the city’s report card.

To see the full report card visit onejoplin.com/dashboard