© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Brownback, Davis Clash Over Kansas Education Funding

Republican Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has unveiled some education goals he'll push for if he's reelected to a second term in office. Brownback says he'll aim for 60 percent of Kansas adults to have a college degree or technical certificate.

At events in Topeka and the Kansas City area Brownback also hinted at a clash over education funding between himself and his Democratic challenger in the gubernatorial race, Rep. Paul Davis.

Brownback touted funding increases during his time in office, specifically money targeted at technical education programs.

"You need a technical skill, you need a degree. You need that and our workforce needs that. They need it for themselves and we need it for Kansas," said Brownback.

He says Davis voted against a bill that added more than $100 million in education funding in response to a state Supreme Court ruling.

"Paul Davis talks about it and votes against putting money in education. That's wrong," said Brownback.

Davis says he voted for an earlier version of the bill, but voted against the final product because it contained controversial policy changes. Davis points out that some other Statehouse Republicans voted against the bill.

Davis also challenged Brownback's claims over education funding, pointing out that some types of school spending faced cuts early in Brownback's term.

Also running for Kansas governor is Libertarian Keen Umbehr.

As the Kansas News Service managing editor, I help our statewide team of reporters find the important issues and breaking news that impact people statewide. We refine our daily stories to illustrate the issues and events that affect the health, well-being and economic stability of the people of Kansas. Email me at skoranda@kcur.org.
KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and award-winning podcasts.
Your donation helps keep nonprofit journalism free and available for everyone.