Merrick Says Equalization May never be Achieved April 11, 2016

Kansas House Speaker Ray Merrick says it might be impossible to keep all Kansas School district equalized.
Equalization is providing all school districts a uniform method of paying for its students need school needs. It does not mean each district gets an equal amount of money.
“It’s a moving number. A moving target,” Merrick said Olathe Monday afternoon.
Equity, equity, equity,” That’s a problem that will never be solved, he added.
Equalization is a key element to the on-going dispute between the Kansas Supreme Court and the Legislature.
The courts ruled earlier this year that the state’s equalization plan was not constitutional. The court gave lawmakers until June 30 to come up with the plan the Justices will accept, or risk a school shutdown in the fall.
Lawmakers passed a new school funding bill and Governor Sam Brownback signed the measure last week.
“We did take a piece of the formula the court had already declared was constitutional for equalization and applied that formula to the rest of the plan. So it should pass a constitutional challenge,” Brownback said Monday.
The Kansas Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on the legislature’s school funding plan on May 10.

Hillary Clinton Sends Kansas Lawmakers a Message January 11, 2016

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is calling on Kansas to expand its Medicaid program to provide health coverage for thousands of additional families.

Clinton issued a statement Monday, hours before the Republican-dominated Legislature opened its annual session.

The federal health overhaul championed by Democratic President Barack Obama encourages states to expand their Medicaid programs and promises the federal government will pay almost all of the cost.

Clinton said expanding Medicaid also would help small rural hospitals.

She said, “Health care for Kansas families should be a right for all, not a privilege for the few.”

Top Kansas Republicans have been skeptical that the federal government will keep its funding promises.

Told of Clinton’s statement, Kansas House Speaker and Stilwell Republican Ray Merrick dismissed it.

He responded, “Hillary who?”

Brown back Says State Will Not Assist Feds Relocating Syrian Refugees November 16, 2015

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback says his state agencies will not assist Washington ins re-setting Syrian refugees in Kansas.

“We must take action to ensure terrorists don’t enter Kansas under the guise of refugees,” Brownback said in a statement tweeted out Monday afternoon.

Brownback joins the Governors of more than a dozen states who have declared their will not accept Syrian refugees.

The backlash against accepting people from the mid-east nation accelerated after it was learned one of the Paris attackers entered Europe while posing as a Syrian refugee.

House Speaker Ray Merrick issued a statement in support of the Governor’s move.

He added, “when President Obama declared ISIS was contained just hours before they struck Paris, he made it impossible to rely on information from the federal government.”

Also today, Kansas ‘s Kansas City metro Congressman Kevin Yoder said he was sending a letter to President Obama urging him to reject any Syrian refugees.

Earlier this year, Washington made a commitment to accept 10,,000 refugees from Syria.

Merrick Re-elected Speaker, KCK’s Burroughs Get Kansas House Minority Spot December 1, 2014

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Republicans in the Kansas House have re-elected Speaker Ray Merrick to the chamber’s top leadership position.

And House Democrats turned Monday to veteran state Rep. Tom Burroughs of Kansas City to lead them for the next two years.

The House’s 125 members and members-elect had organizational meetings at the Statehouse to pick leaders for 2015 and 2016.

Merrick easily overcame a challenge within the GOP from Rep. Virgil Peck of Tyro. The vote among Republicans was 80-16.

The GOP will have a 97-28 majority when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

Democrats had to pick a new Minority Leader because Paul Davis of Lawrence gave up his House seat to run unsuccessfully for governor.

Burroughs won the minority leader’s job over Rep. Jim Ward of Wichita in a 17-11 vote.

Kansas Lawmakers Meet for Leadership Votes Monday December 1, 2014

(AP) – Kansas House Speaker Ray Merrick faces a challenge from a fellow Republican for the chamber’s top leadership position for another two years.

And House Democrats are naming a new leader.

The House’s 125 members and members-elect had organizational meetings Monday at the Statehouse to pick leaders for 2015 and 2016.

Republicans will hold a 97-28 House majority when lawmakers open the 2015 session in January, and GOP members will designate the speaker.

Merrick, from Stilwell, is finishing his first, two-year term and is seeking another. His challenger is Rep. Virgil Peck of Tyro.

Democrats must replace Minority Leader Paul Davis of Lawrence. He gave up his House seat to run unsuccessfully for governor.

Reps. Tom Burroughs of Kansas City and Jim Ward of Wichita are vying for the job.