Legislature should solve own problems, butt out of local issues

The Legislature should be focused on solving its own problems, particularly the state budget shortfall. Instead, lawmakers spent hours Tuesday trying to dictate and control the operations and responsibilities of other governmental units.

▪  The House spent more than three hours debating whether to repeal the Common Core standards for math and reading education. The state’s education standards are the constitutional responsibility of the State Board of Education, and curriculum is chosen by local school districts. What’s more, the current standards are supported by the state’s superintendents and local school boards, along with the overwhelming majority of teachers. Yet lawmakers, fueled by conspiracy theories, tried to insert themselves into education policy and repeal the standards, a move that could cost the state millions of dollars and potentially endanger Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes. Thankfully, the bill failed, though most Wichita-area lawmakers voted for it.

▪  After five hours of debate, senators voted to speed up the implementation of a local property tax lid. Effective 2017, cities and counties would be required to hold a public vote if their budgets increase more than the rate of inflation – even if their communities experience rapid growth or have major infrastructure needs. As Greenwood County Commissioner Brian Hind noted in recent legislative testimony, the hypocrisy of this mandate is stunning – as it was originally enacted at the same time lawmakers were passing the largest tax increase in state history (without a public vote), and lawmakers frequently rail about the federal government not respecting local control.

▪  The Senate also narrowly approved a constitutionally questionable bill establishing new standards for impeaching Kansas Supreme Court justices. They include “attempting to usurp the power of the legislative or executive branch of government,” as well as “discourteous conduct.” Lawmakers did change the bill so it also would apply to certain officials of the executive branch. But it doesn’t apply to the Legislature – a body that tried to usurp the constitutional authority of the Supreme Court to select chief district judges.

These aren’t the only attempts to meddle and micromanage this session. Among many other examples are mandates regarding public school restrooms and sex education classes, as well as an effort to change how justices are appointed.

In addition to the budget mess, there are also major concerns about the state’s foster care system, waiting lists for disabled services, and a mental health system that is in crisis. Lawmakers should solve those problems and stop sticking their noses where they don’t belong.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 7:07 PM with the headline "Legislature should solve own problems, butt out of local issues."