Gov. Sam Brownback can claim his administration has increased funding for K-12 education because more funds have been dedicated to help shore up the foundering KPERs program. BROWNBACK’S vision to overhaul the state’s pension program included investing the funds wholly in the stock market such as with a 401(k) plan where the funds would be subject to the whims of the market. REVISING the state’s pension plan was necessary — and laudable. But it is not the same as putting money in the classroom or raising teachers’ salaries.
Most teachers belong to the Kansas Public Employee Retirement program, as do myriad other professionals who are in the employ of the state, including social workers, city and county employees, those with the state prison system, state parks, highway maintenance and others. Altogether, about 280,000 Kansans are enrolled in the state pension program.
The fix to KPERS came at a high cost. Every beneficiary is now required to pay more into the retirement fund, along with the state’s contribution and monies from the state’s lottery program.
Before, teachers paid 4 percent of their salaries toward the retirement fund. As of Jan. 1, 2014, that contribution jumped up to 5 percent; in 2015, 6 percent of their salaries will go into the collective pot. With the legislation passed in 2013, public employees hired after 2009 lost a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for their wages. As long as inflation is at a standstill, they need not worry.
Under current funding, the retirement program should be at adequate funding by 2019 and fully funded by 2033. KPERS has been underfunded for nigh on 20 years. The recession of 2008 was the last straw, plunging the retirement program into financial abyss. Unfunded liabilities hit $10.2 billion, one of the highest in the nation. Today, Kansas sits middle of the pack.
Had it passed, state employees would have gone from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan. The difference is significant. In the latter, you know what you put in (contribute) but not necessarily what the return will be.
The Legislature gave Brownback a partial victory. Beginning in 2015, state employees can roll their retirement funds into the stock market if they desire.
Funding for the classroom, in fact, has decreased since Brownback took office. At the beginning of his term per pupil funding was $4,012. Today it is $3,852, a difference of $160 per every Lily and Lucas sitting behind a desk.
The salaries of Kansas teachers remain well below the national average.
In his re-election campaign Brownback claims he is the “education governor.”
Address these concerns, governor, and you’ll come closer to the truth.
— Susan Lynn
Brownback’s claim as ‘education governor’ lacks credibility
