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# House rejects Democratic attempts to boost special education, lunch funding
- URL: https://www.citizenjournal.us/house-rejects-democratic-attempts-to-boost-special-education-lunch-funding/
- Published: 2026-02-26T12:56:35.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-29T23:36:06.000Z
- Description: Amendments to substitute bill fail as majority holds line on spending
- Author: Greg Loving
- Tags: hcj, #news, dnn

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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