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Minutes for SB61 - Committee on K-12 Education Budget
Short Title
Amending the tax credit for low income students scholarship program act to expand student eligibility.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 23, 2021
Chair Williams Calls the meeting to order at 3:33 P.M.
Hearing on SB61 - Amending the tax credit for low-income student's scholarship program act to expand student eligibility.
Revisor Nick Myers gave an overview of SB61.
Questions and comments were asked by Representatives Ousley
Proponent Oral Testimony:
Ross Izard provided proponent testimony for the committee stating that his support of the bill comes from the current eligibility requirements are unfair and unable to effectively serve the target population of disadvantaged students, that it better aligns Kansas with successful programs in other states and that it eliminates age restrictions that restrict opportunity for middle and high school students. He concluded stating that SB61's changes will make the Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship Program fairer, stronger, and better able to serve the intended population of disadvantaged Kansas students. (Attachment 1)
Proponents Written Testimony:
Bob L. Corkins, Chief Lobbyist, Frontier Peace Advisors, (Attachment 2)
Elizabeth Patton, State Director, Americans for Prosperity, (Attachment 3)
James Franko, President, Kansas Policy Institute, (Attachment 4)
Dr. Delia Shropshire, President of Holy Savior Catholic Academy, (Attachment 5)
Opponent Oral Testimony:
Mark Tallman, provided testimony stating his opposition to the bill and the similar bill HB2068 before beginning his testimony answering a set of questions and answers that he had prepared prior about the tax credit scholarship program and this bill. (Attachment 6)
Questions and comments were asked by Representative Johnson.
Opponent Written Testimony:
Michael Poppa, Executive Director of the Mainstream Coalition, (Attachment 7)
Dr. Mike Fulton, Shawnee Mission School District, Superintendent, (Attachment 8)
John Allison, Superintendent, Olathe Public Schools USD 233, (Attachment 9)
Dr. Tonya Merrigan, Superintendent, USD 229 Blue Valley Schools, (Attachment 10)
Nathan Grebowiec, President, Schools for Quality Education School Board Member, USD 270, Plainville, (Attachment 11)
Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent, Topeka Public Schools USD 501, (Attachment 12) (Attachment 13) (Attachment 14) (Attachment 15)
Dr. Scott Mickelsen, School Board President, Topeka Public Schools, USD 501, (Attachment 12) (Attachment 13) (Attachment 14) (Attachment 15)
Mark Desetti, KNEA Director of Legislative Advocacy, (Attachment 16)
Lauri DeNooy, MBA Kansas PTA President, (Attachment 17)
Erin Gould, Game On for Kansas Schools, (Attachment 18)
Chair Williams Adjourned the meeting at 4:00.
