Framing decisions

Syndicated to Kansas newspapers March 6, 2017

Martin HawverThe Kansas Supreme Court has finally issued its opinion on adequacy of financing public schools, and while the justices didn’t put a pricetag on what it will cost, already the low-ball estimates are about $535 million and the big estimates are in the $700 million-and-up range.
Now, that’s got nothing to do with the state budget deficit of about $270 million to finish out this fiscal year on June 30 with at least a couple bucks in the bank, which hasn’t been dealt with yet. Starting July 1, the state is going to need another $500 million or so for the Fiscal Year 2018 budget just to keep its doors open.