Government

Kansas legislators are considering major changes in a state law governing contract negotiations between teachers and school districts, prompting the state's largest teachers union to complain of what it calls a "war" on educators.

Kansas National Education Association President Karen Godfrey said Monday the bill before the House commerce committee would hurt public schools. A hearing on the measure is set for Wednesday.

Leaders in the Kansas Senate say they'll likely pursue cuts to the budget recommended by Gov. Sam Brownback. Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, says their goal is a long-term elimination of the state's income tax.

A Senate committee recently endorsed a plan that would cut income tax rates. To help balance the budget, it would also eliminate the state's tax deduction for mortgage interest and keep the sales tax elevated.

Wagle says to make the budget work, they will need to make more cuts.

More than 300 people including teachers from Wichita and surrounding districts attended the South-Central Delegation legislative forum held at the National Center for Aviation Training in Wichita Saturday.

Several issues were raised including the importance of funding public education.

Tracy Callard is an elementary school teacher at Wichita's Horace Mann Duel Language Magnet. Callard says she's very concerned about program cuts.

"Turnaround" is basically the midpoint of the legislative session. Most bills that haven’t passed one chamber by today are dead for this year.