State Representative Jeff King (R-Independence) has introduced a bill to protect state matching funds for school construction projects approved by local voters. The bill is in response to a proposed bill in the Kansas Senate that would eliminate state funds for any school bond that was not issued by December 31, 2008. King’s bill includes a provision that would guaranty state funding for the $45.1 million bond approved by USD 446 voters on Tuesday.
“The voters of USD 446 have expressed their support for the school construction projects in this week’s election,” said King. “The state should honor the voter’s will and help fund this important construction.”
The state currently provides matching fund to school districts for voter-approved capital improvement projects. For USD 446, current law guarantees that the state of Kansas will pay 32 percent of any construction costs.
The Kansas Senate is considering a bill that would eliminate this state funding and apply retroactively to any school bonds issued after the end of 2008. The Senate bill, if approved, would strip state funding from the $45.1 million bond issue recently approved by Montgomery county voters to build a new elementary school and make renovations to the Independence Middle School and Independence High School.
King’s bill protects voters in northern Montgomery County from the Senate proposal. Unlike the Senate proposal, the bill authored by King does not apply retroactively. It would require the state of Kansas to provide matching funds for any school construction projects already approved by local voters. Because local voters approved the USD 446 bond project on Tuesday, King’s bill would ensure that the State of Kansas provides matching funds for the Independence school construction.
“The state has promised the voters of northern Montgomery county that it will fund 32% of their school-construction projects,” stated King. “By removing the harsh retroactive language from the Senate’s proposal, my bill ensures that the state will keep its promise and meet its obligations to local taxpayers.”
King’s bill is supported by a broad group of legislators from across the state whose districts would lose state matching funds under the Senate proposal. The bill will now proceed to the Speaker of the House who is expected to give it to the House Education Committee for hearings and further consideration.
Representative King serves in the Kansas Legislature from the 12th District, which includes all or part of Elk, Chautauqua, and Montgomery counties.
