Washburn University
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Volume 142, Issue 18
Features
February 17, 2016
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Opinion
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Bill offers leniency for drug offenders Ryan Thompson
WASHBURN REVIEW
“We live in the non-fiction section and we have to address the fundamental problems of Kansas,” Ward said. Ward specifically said that the Kansas legislature has two options: to defy the courts, or actually do some work and repair Kansas’ financial issues. Some Republicans such as Jeff Longbine from Emporia and John Barker from Abilene agreed that the ruling has been made and now they must work to change the issues. Other Republicans said that the ruling was a farce and questioned the court’s authority. “This is really a temper tantrum by the Supreme Court saying, ‘We’re running the show here,’” said Sen. Jeff Melcher, a Republican from
A group of senators from across the political spectrum introduced legislation on Feb. 11 that will make it possible for students convicted of drug-related crimes to receive financial aid. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) sponsored the act and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) is an original co-sponsor. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) also supports the bill. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) introduced legislation of the same name and purpose to the House of Representatives in November. This shows that both parties across both houses see problems with the current system and are interested in criminal justice reform. As is, the FASFA form requires that students answer a question asking if they have ever been convicted for the possession or sale of illegal drugs. If students answer “yes” or fail to answer, they will become ineligible for financial aid. A press release on Bass’ website for her version of the legislation reports that nearly 3,300 students lost access to financial aid because of drug charges during the 2009–2010 school year. Offenses involving alcohol or tobacco do not affect financial aid. If passed, the Stopping Unfair Collateral Consequences from Ending Student Success Act, or SUCCESS Act, will amend the section of the Higher Education Act which makes students caught with controlled substances ineligible for financial aid. It will also remove the drug question from the FASFA form. “I think it will be great for that question to no longer be asked,” said Ryan Alexander, assistant
FUNDING: continued on page 3
BILL: continued on page 3
Photo by Fahad Alfaryyan
Inadequacy: The Kansas Supreme Court on Thursday, Feb. 11 ruled that the funding of Kansas’ public schools is unconstitutioal under the current budget. The court gave legislators until June 30 to revise the funding system.
Schools’ funding found lacking Andrew Shermoen WASHBURN REVIEW
The Kansas Supreme Court ruled on Thursday, Feb. 11 that Kansas has been inadequately funding schools and has given legislators until June 30 to rearrange the state’s budget to meet constitutional requirements. If the legislature doesn’t come up with a solution, then the justices will order a shutdown of schools. The case included school districts from Wichita, Hutchinson, Kansas City and Dodge City who challenged Senate Bill 7, which was passed into law last year. The districts contested that SB 7 did not meet constitutional requirements for funding public education in a fair and equitable process. SB 7 used the funding amounts collected from the former funding plan, a complicated formula that used pupil counts, and included extra money if a dis-
trict had a large amount of dif- ing tremendous deference to ficult-to-teach students, such the legislation in allowing the as those who only know En- legislature to design an equiglish as a second language or table system … They’re not had learning disabilities. SB 7 naming numbers,” Robb said. used those former numbers to “They’re just saying, ‘You provide funding for two years must do it.’” until the Legislature creates a Susan Alexander, a staff new financing plan. member at the Department of The plaintiff’s attorneys Education, said that she was spoke posisurprised to tively of the hear of the We live in the non- ruling. In reruling. Alan Rupe, one of fiction section and sponse to the attorneys Robb’s sensaid, “It is a we have to address timent she real victory said that she for kids that the fundamental doesn’t think cost more to problems of Kansas. the rule is too educate, who passive. are minorities, “It’s not -Rep. Jim Ward, limited Enthe Supreme glish kids, imstate representative Court’s posimigrant kids.” tion, or place, Yet, the to tell the state other attorney, John Robb, how much money it has to claimed that he found the spend, but it can recognize incourt’s ruling to be too pas- adequate expenditures,” Alexsive. ander said. “I think the court is showLawmakers are divided on
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their opinions of the issue. Rep. Jim Ward (D-Wichita) spoke on the inevitable change Kansas must endure.