Following is a press release concerning an event of interest this Saturday in Arkansas City.
Arkansas City (February 16, 2010) – “In any economy, but especially our current economy, the use of tax dollars is an issue every Kansas taxpayer should be interested and involved in. As we visit with citizens, we’re finding they do not truly understand how their state tax dollars are spent. Unfortunately this makes it difficult for them to participate in the discussion over how to solve our state’s fiscal crisis, and we certainly want and need their input. We are excited about the opportunity to have a broad public dialogue regarding use of tax dollars,” said Steve Abrams and Kasha Kelley, 32nd District Senator and 79th District Representative respectively.
Senator Abrams and Representative Kelley invite citizens to join them Saturday, February 27, 2010, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Brown Center Theatre on the campus of Cowley College in Arkansas City, Kansas, to learn more about the allocation and uses of their Kansas tax dollars. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and juice, with the program beginning at 10 a.m. The event, moderated by Arkansas City Commissioner and former Superintendent Jean Snell, includes a Q&A period prior to adjournment.
The townhall is split into two segments. In the first, Representative Kelley details the uses of Kansas tax dollars according to function, with a more specific focus on the largest portion of expenditure: education. Kelley explains the basics of education funding so the public has a greater understanding of how dollars are allocated for the various-sized districts across the state. “The funding of education is a pervasive and very deserving topic of conversation. It is imperative that our citizens understand how monies are applied in education — and frankly all major functions of government — so they can give informed and detailed input on future allocation of those limited dollars.”
In the second half of the townhall, Senator Abrams speaks on the importance of technical education in today’s economy. From his years on the State Board of Education, Abrams has gathered “best practices” from across the nation, combining them into an effective presentation that everyone — whether teacher, parent, student or employer — will find interesting. “I am convinced one of the most important issues facing our state, and indeed America, today is that of technical education. Understanding the natural talents of our children and helping to educate them around those talents produces satisfied and interested students, and prepares them to compete in our modern economy. Our employers are begging for young men and women who are motivated, skilled and ready to hit the workforce and I believe, in large part, tech ed holds the key.”
This community outreach event is made possible by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.
Leave a Reply