(From Rep. Ingrid Burnett, D-Kansas City)Passing legislation does not appear to be of much interest so far this year. HB1989, the Open Enrollment bill was taken up for floor debate on Tuesday and advanced to the Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 86-73.
HB1989, if passed as currently written, will allow students to attend a school district other than their home district provided the receiving district will accept transfer students.
Districts are funded in part by revenue that comes from the State. It is a complicated formula that attempts to keep it simple by reducing it to the average per-pupil cost in high-performing districts while calculating the additional expense of certain demographics.
In this bill, that’s the amount that would follow any student who opts to attend another school district.
As this bill is currently written, school districts are not required to accept students from other districts, however, school districts may not prevent students from leaving their home district to attend another. As this bill now moves on to the Senate, there is no telling what it will look like if it comes back for a final vote.
Only one Democrat in the House voted for HB1989, while 26 Republicans broke rank and voted with Democrats in opposition.
Looking forward to this week, we can expect Budget subcommittees to continue with Department presentations to the full committee. Monday will likely be the longest hearing as we take up the budgets for the Departments of Mental Health and Health and Senior Services.
Looking forward to this week, we can expect Budget subcommittees to continue with Department presentations to the full committee. Monday will likely be the longest hearing as we take up the budgets for the Departments of Mental Health and Health and Senior Services.
We might see a little fireworks on Tuesday when the Lt. Gov presents his budget given that he has been actively campaigning for Governor against other House and Senate members, but the rest of the budget hearings this week should be rather mild. I expect the bulk of actual floor time will be taken up by 2 joint sessions - one on Tuesday where we will hear from the Israeli Consul General in Florida, and one on Wednesday when Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court, Mary Russell, will present her State of the Judiciary address.
It’s also likely the House will take up Charter School expansion in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties and Columbia in committee and child care tax credits on the Floor. Rumor has it the Senate will attempt debate on the FRA (a funding device to maximize Federal funds for healthcare) and reforming the current initiative petition process (voter-driven amendments and legislation).
It’s also likely the House will take up Charter School expansion in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties and Columbia in committee and child care tax credits on the Floor. Rumor has it the Senate will attempt debate on the FRA (a funding device to maximize Federal funds for healthcare) and reforming the current initiative petition process (voter-driven amendments and legislation).
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