Topeka — Gov. Bill Graves laid down the gauntlet Tuesday, calling on lawmakers to increase state sales and motor fuels taxes to raise more money for public schools.
By unveiling his $112 million plan, Graves ended weeks of speculation and jump-started the debate on school finance.
Graves' proposal would increase the state sales tax two-tenths of a cent, from 4.9 cents per dollar to 5.1 cents. The plan would increase the state tax on motor fuels by two cents. Currently, the state tax on gasoline is 20 cents per gallon, and is scheduled to go to 21 cents on July 1 because of a tax bill approved in 1999. If Graves' new proposal passes, then the state tax on gasoline would be a total of 23 cents per gallon.
Speaking to the Kansas State Board of Education, Graves urged the "silent majority" of Kansans who support a tax increase for schools to help him get the Legislature to approve his plan.
"If not public education, then what? If not now, then when?" Graves said. "We have a responsibility as public officials to do what is called for at this moment."
Graves' plan would raise the base state aid per pupil by $110, phase in full-day kindergarten statewide in a five-year period and increase funding for at-risk children and special education. The measure also would provide funds for summer school, and bonuses for teachers who excel and high-performing schools.
Not surprisingly in the Capitol, Graves' proposed tax increase was roundly criticized by many legislators, including the governor's fellow Republicans.
State Rep. Ralph Tanner, a Baldwin Republican and chairman of the House Education Committee, said, "I am not willing to vote for any kind of tax increases now."
He said Kansans shouldn't be burdened with additional taxes right after having to pay record utility bills this winter.
Democrats criticized the tax increases, saying they would hurt working people.
Instead, they said the Legislature should increase some taxes that were cut in 1997 and 1998 and close a tax loophole for insurance companies that they said could net the state some $32 million.
"This is a pathetic approach," Rep. Richard Alldritt, D-Harper, said of Graves' proposal.
Others called Graves' plan a Band-Aid that failed to address inequities in the school funding formula and funding in future years.
Tanner and others said Graves' plan simply came too late. The legislative session generally ends after 90 days, which would be April 7 this year.
Then lawmakers return for several days in late April.
"I'm glad to see he is finally engaged in the debate," Rep. Troy Findley, D-Lawrence, said of Graves. "I wish it would've happened the first day of the session."
But Graves said there was plenty of time remaining in the session to produce a school funding plan.
When the session started, Graves proposed a $50 increase in base aid per student, but he urged lawmakers to find more money for schools, even if that meant giving him a tax bill to sign. But lawmakers refused to adopt a tax increase, which prompted Graves to come out with his second education plan Tuesday.
Despite all the complaints about the proposed tax increases in that plan, many Democrats and Republicans said they supported many of Graves' initiatives, especially programs designed to help children in the early grades.
Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, was one of the few legislators who said he could support Graves' tax increases, though he said he wished Graves had proposed a tax increase that could take care of education funding in future years.
"I don't think we're really addressing education, mental health, SRS (Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services) with more than a Band-Aid," he said.
Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, said she hadn't studied the proposal closely enough to form an opinion.
Findley said some of Graves' ideas would help Lawrence schools, but said he opposed the tax increases.
"This would make low- and middle-class citizens and those on fixed incomes bear the brunt of this," he said.
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