House rejects Democratic attempts to boost special education, lunch funding
Amendments to substitute bill fail as majority holds line on spending
TOPEKA, Kan. — Partisan divides over education spending flared in the Kansas House on Wednesday during debate on Substitute HB 2434. Democratic lawmakers introduced a series of amendments aimed at increasing funding for school meal programs and special education services, all of which were rejected by the Republican majority.
Rep. Jo Ella Hoye, D-Lenexa, offered an amendment to allocate specific funding for school lunches, arguing that food insecurity remains a barrier to learning for Kansas students. The amendment failed on a 44-71 vote, a margin that largely tracked party lines.
Rep. Jarrod Ousley, D-Merriam, attempted two separate amendments to transfer funds for special education. The first, seeking a transfer of more than $40 million, failed 48-69. A scaled-back proposal to transfer $14.6 million was also rejected, 52-64.
Republican leadership has generally argued that such funding decisions should be handled within the broader context of K-12 budget negotiations rather than through piecemeal amendments to individual bills.
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