In reversal, Kansas House passes $500 million increase for public schools

The Kansas House passed a $500 million funding increase for public schools on Tuesday, a day after rejecting the same bill.

The bill would phase in a $500 million increase for K-12 education over five years in an effort to respond to the Kansas Supreme Court, which has found that schools are inadequately funded. The court has given lawmakers until April 30 to deliver a plan for adequate funding.

The vote was 71-53. On Monday, the House rejected the same proposal on a 55-65 vote.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where senators have been working to develop their own school funding plan.

How they voted

Here’s how Kansas City area lawmakers voted on HB 2445, a Republican plan to increase school spending by $500 million over five years. The bill passed the House 71-53.

Republicans voting yes: Shelee Brim, Shawnee; Stephanie Clayton, Overland Park; Tom Cox, Shawnee; Erin Davis, Olathe; Keith Esau, Olathe; Linda Gallagher, Lenexa; Jan Kessinger, Overland Park; Joy Koesten, Leawood; Patty Markley, Overland Park; Abraham Rafie, Overland Park; John Resman, Olathe; Melissa Rooker, Fairway; Ron Ryckman, Olathe; William Sutton, Gardner; Sean Tarwater, Stilwell

Democrats voting yes: Cindy Holscher, Overland Park; Kathy Wolfe Moore, Kansas City, Kan.

Republicans voting no: Willie Dove, Bonner Springs; Randy Powell, Olathe; Scott Schwab, Olathe; Frank Trimboli, Olathe

Democrats voting no: Tom Burroughs, Kansas City, Kan.; Pam Curtis, Kansas City, Kan.; Stan Frownfelter, Kansas City, Kan.; Broderick Henderson, Kansas City, Kan.; Nancy Lusk, Overland Park; Cindy Neighbor, Shawnee; Jarrod Ousley, Merriam; Brett Parker, Overland Park; Louis Ruiz, Kansas City, Kan.; Jerry Stogsdill, Prairie Village; Valdenia Winn, Kansas City, Kan.

This story was originally published April 3, 2018 at 1:49 PM with the headline "In reversal, Kansas House passes $500 million increase for public schools."