Education or the economy? Which is more important to Kansas?

In August 2002, when he was running for the governor’s office, Republican Tim Shallenburger did a poll in which 29 percent of the respondents viewed education as the most important issue facing Kansas; 13 percent said the top issue was the economy.

Last month, a poll commissioned by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) again asked Kansans to identify the most important issue facing the state. In a substantial flip-flop, 30 percent of those polled said the economy was the top issue, followed by 21 percent who cited education.

So which is it? Education or economy? The answer is: It’s both.

Having a stronger economy is important to fuel the state budget to fund education, and having a strong education system is vital to fueling the state economy. You can’t have one without the other.

Kansans are justified in being concerned about jobs right now. Layoffs in key state industries such as aircraft manufacturing quickly bring the impact of a struggling economy down to a personal level. But Kansas isn’t the only state experiencing such problems. How will Kansas or any state bring those jobs back?

Tax initiatives might help. Seventy-seven percent of those responding to the KCCI survey favored cutting the budget to cover any shortfall, compared to 15 percent who would choose a tax increase. Holding down taxes may help stimulate the economy by providing more money for investment, but that’s only part of the picture.

When existing companies start to increase their work forces again and when new companies consider locating in Kansas, they are going to be looking for high-quality, well-educated workers. That’s where the state’s education system comes in.

These companies will be looking for high school graduates with strong basic skills and perhaps some specialized technical training. They will be looking for college graduates familiar with cutting-edge research and technology. They will be looking for K-12 public schools that will offer a strong educational opportunity to the children of their employees, thereby contributing to the quality of life they are seeking in the community where they choose to invest.

It’s a package deal.

Budget cuts have had a significant negative impact on the state’s universities and K-12 schools in the last several years. The quality of state schools already has been affected; further declines in the state’s education investment could be devastating.

Whittling away at the state education budget in the name of helping the state’s economy is a foolish strategy. A strong education system feeds the state’s economic well-being. Without it, the state’s economic future will be seriously compromised.