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Minutes for HB2150 - Committee on K-12 Education Budget
Short Title
Enacting the Kansas hope scholarship act.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 14, 2019
Without objection, Chairperson Williams opened a hearing on HB2150.
Jason Long presented to the Committee an explanation of HB2150. (Attachment 1) He stood for numerous questions.
Rep. Erickson presented testimony to the Committee in support of HB2150 by detailing how "bullying can affect physical and emotional health, both in the short term and long term and later in life". (Attachment) She stood for questions.
Rep. Humphries presented testimony to the Committee in support of HB2150 by emphasizing that "we must not leave a single Kansas student in an environment where they are failing to flourish". (Attachment 3) She stood for questions.
James Franko presented testimony to the Committee in support of HB2150 indicating "many states across the country are enacting choice programs to specifically help select student populations especially in need of extra help". (Attachment 4) He stood for questions.
Elizabeth Patton presented testimony to the Committee in support of HB2150 in order to "expand educational opportunities for students that are subject to incidents of bullying in our public schools". (Attachment 5) She stood for questions.
Written only testimony in support of HB2150 was presented to the Committee by Jake LaTurner, Kansas State Treasurer (Attachment 6); and Chuck Weber, Kansas Catholic Conference (Attachment 7).
No testimony neutral to HB2150 was presented to the Committee.
Liz Meitl presented to the Committee testimony in opposition to HB2150 because the bill is "one more attempt to shift tax money to private or parochial schools and undermine the quality of public education in Kansas". (Attachment 8) She stood for questions.
Jerry Henn presented to the Committee testimony in opposition to HB2150 because the bill "is not a bullying bill . . . [it] is all about vouchers in Kansas". (Attachment 9) He stood for questions.
Thomas Witt presented to the Committee testimony in opposition to HB2150 because "there are . . . serious flaws with this bill" and gave a detailed account of his position. (Attachment 10) He stood for questions.
Mark Desetti presented to the Committee testimony in opposition to HB2150 by indicating "the bill . . . does not actually address bullying . . [but] seeks to institute a voucher system . . .". (Attachment 11) He stood for questions.
Written only testimony in opposition to HB2150 was presented to the Committee by Dr. Troy Pitsch, USD 294 Superintendent (Attachment 12); Monica Crowe, Kansas PTA (Attachment 13); Katherine Kersenbrock-Ostmeyer, Children and Youth Action Network (Attachment 14); John Allison, USD 233 Superintendent (Attachment 15); Judith Deedy, Game On for Kansas Schools (Attachment 16); and Dr. Ben Pretz, Basehor-Linwood USD 458 (Attachment 17).
When all questions from the Committee were answered, Chairperson Williams closed the hearing on HB2150.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 pm.
