Action needed on voucher bill ASAP and Moms Demand Action meeting on Thursday
Two most pressing items
This newsletter is mainly focused on two things…a voucher bill that passed out of committee and the Moms Demand Action meeting on Thursday.
I thought I was also going to be putting out a request for testimony on another voting rights bill that would add more restrictions on mail ballots, but that hearing in the House appears to have been cancelled.
Quick Senator Kellie Warren Update
In the newsletter from late Monday night, we discussed how Senator Kellie Warren’s voting record does not align with the issues we value here at Six Degrees of Activism. And today we can share the good news…
Karen Thurlow has officially stepped up to challenge Warren in Senate District 11. Her website and other social media sites are just getting started, so stay tuned to learn more about her, but give her a follow on Facebook and Instagram.
If you live in District 11, have friends in the district, or just want to help get new representation in District 11, please fill out this survey. So far we’ve had eleven responses, but I’m guessing there are more of you out there ready to flip this seat.
VOUCHER BILL SB 509 — email senators; vote NO
SB 509 that essentially pays parents, via refundable tax credits, to homeschool or send their kids to private school, passed out of committee on Tuesday. It could be on the Senate floor for a vote or added into the Senate budget as early as Wednesday afternoon.
I’ll try to provide an update when/if a vote takes place, but until then email and call state Senators as soon as you can between now and Friday.
Send Two Emails
One to your state Senator and one to Senators we think could be on the fence based on their opposition to a voucher bill or two last year.
EMAIL #1 — Find your state Senator at KSLegLookup.org.
The link below will create a pre-populated email. You will just need to:
Enter your Senator’s email address in the TO: field
Add your Senator’s last name in the greeting
Sign off with your name and city
To be more effective…please customize/personalize the message by rewording the draft included or crafting your own message using some of the talking points below.
EMAIL #2 — Potentially persuadable Senators
The link below will create a pre-populated email that includes the addresses for the Senators above. You will just need to sign off with your name and city.
To be more effective…please customize/personalize the message by rewording the draft included or crafting your own message using some of the talking points below.
I’ve heard the link isn’t working for some. If that’s you, please see the copy & paste option at the end of the email.
Do you know anyone in the above cities?
Please reach out to them and ask them to contact the Senator in their area. Constituents hold more power. The emails for each of these senators can be found in the link above or on this Senate roster.
QUICK/EASY PHONE CALL to your state Senator
Phone calls for and against a bill are tallied by an assistant. Calls can be very simple:
Mention you are a constituent. Provide your name and your city and/or zip code and simply ask that the Senator votes NO on bill SB 509 and all other voucher bills.
SB 509 TALKING POINTS
Per child tax credits are $3,800 for those attending an accredited private school and $2,500 for those attending an unaccredited private school or homeschool; a family with four kids in private school would receive over $15,000 in refundable tax credits each year.
There are no income limits on SB 509. Families who are already sending kids to private schools and who can easily afford tuition would be eligible for these credits. Vouchers are welfare for the wealthy.
The program is estimated to reduce state revenues by $240 million for just those kids who already attend an accredited or unaccredited private school or are homeschooled. Though the bill was amended to include a $75 million cap, that is just for year one. The cap is set to increase each year.
SB 509 provides no accountability for our tax dollars to ensure the tax credits are used to pay for tuition or education materials or to ensure kids are receiving a quality education.
SB 509 is a voucher program as it diverts public tax dollars to non-public schools via tax credits to families paying tuition. Non-public schools that are allowed to discriminate in admissions should not receive our public tax dollars.
Reducing state revenues puts funding for public education at risk. Instead of giving our tax dollars to Kansans who can already afford private school tuition, our tax dollars should be used for things that benefit all kids, like fully funding special education.
Moms Demand Action Meeting
Grab a friend and make plans to attend the Moms Demand Meeting on Thursday, March 14 at 6:30 pm. RSVP here.
Join us for our March monthly meeting, where we'll discuss recent tragic events in Kansas City and talk about ways we can all get involved to prevent more senseless gun violence in our community. We'll learn how to contact legislators, give a preview for our upcoming election season, and talk about ways we can all take ACTION!
Copy & Paste Email to Potentially Persuadable Senators
TO: Brenda.Dietrich@senate.ks.gov, John.Doll@senate.ks.gov, Dan.Kerschen@senate.ks.gov, Jeff.Longbine@senate.ks.gov, Carolyn.McGinn@senate.ks.gov, Rick.Billinger@senate.ks.gov, Elaine.Bowers@senate.ks.gov, Kristen.OShea@senate.ks.gov, Rob.Olson@senate.ks.gov, Dennis.Pyle@senate.ks.gov, Ron.Ryckman@senate.ks.gov
SUBJECT: Vote NO on SB 509
OPTION FOR BODY OF THE EMAIL:
Dear Senators,
Please vote no on SB 509 or any amendments that create voucher programs that divert our public tax dollars to private schools via tax credits used for tuition or otherwise.
I have appreciated your past votes against voucher programs in Kansas and I hope you will vote against this Education Opportunity Tax Credit.
These programs lack accountability, reduce state revenues available for our public schools, and mainly benefit wealthy and urban taxpayers who are already paying for private schools and live in areas where there are a lot of options. A family with four kids who currently sends their kids to private school will now receive over $15,000 in refundable tax credits annually.
Voucher programs are unpopular with Kansans. SB 509 received testimony from 97 opponents and just 8 proponents.
Instead of giving our tax dollars to Kansans who already send their kids to private school, please focus on things that will benefit all Kansas kids like fully funding special education.
Sincerely,