TOPEKA- Speaker Pro Tem Arlen Siegfried (R-Olathe) today expressed disappointment in response to last week’s executive order from Governor Sebelius, establishing the Facilities Closure and Realignment Commission.
The order, as specifically stated, seeks to eliminate essential programs for many at-risk citizens in Kansas. Among the programs to be potentially affected by the commission are the Kansas School for the Deaf, and the Kansas School for the Blind. Both Kansas City institutions are two of the only places where students are currently able to receive specialized care and instruction.
“We face a tremendously difficult set of budget decisions in the next few years. While there is sure to be pain across the board, I find it particularly disturbing that the first group of citizens the Governor chose to attack are some of our most vulnerable,” Rep. Siegfreid said.
The Kansas School for the Deaf provides essential services to students who would otherwise not receive specialized education to assist in becoming successful and productive citizens of Kansas. The school, which has served Kansans since 1861, focuses on college preparation and career transition programs.
“These are the programs we were elected to protect, programs that run efficiently and achieve substantial and tangible results. While a reduction for all state services is certainly appropriate, to flat out eliminate programs with these kinds of success rates is simply irresponsible. It provides a perfect example of the Governor’s misperception of wherer problems truly exist.”
Rep. Siegfreid represents the 15th District, which includes parts of the city of Olathe and Olathe Township in Johnson County. He serves on the committees for Tax and Health and Human Services.
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