Excerpted with the permission of the Olathe Daily News By Chuck Kurtz March 3/4, 2001

When 3rd District Congressman Dennis Moore, D-Overland Park, was included in a meeting recently with President Bush, he used his time wisely. He made two key points with Bush: Don’t cut taxes so much that public education will be harmed and help direct an effort for the federal government to fully fund its portion of mandates for special education.

Moore’s initiatives brought a round of applause from about 50 people attending a breakfast meeting at the Olathe District Schools main office Friday. Parents, teachers, school board members, local businessmen and school administrators seemed to like what they heard. He was in Olathe Friday and read to students at Central Elementary School in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

Gerry Reynaud, executive director of special services for the school district, said he appreciated Moore and what he has tried to do for special education.

"You have provided a consistent message of advocacy for kids with disabilities," he told Moore.

Prior to Moore’s introduction, Olathe District Schools’ Superintendent Ron Wimmer said Moore was a friend to public education.

"Congressman Moore has visited and been in our district more and been in our district more than any other elected official," Wimmer said. "I admire him for what he has done and appreciate his commitment to serving us."

In his meeting with Bush, Moore reminded him of what is taking place in Kansas as a result of enormous tax cutting.

"Bush and Governor (Bill) Graves are friends," Moore said. "In a recent Associated Press article, Governor Graves was candid about the shortfall in the state’s revenue projections and education funding. He said if he knew then what he knows now, it would make a big difference in tax cuts he approved the past several years.

"I told Bush not to cut taxes too much or the federal government would be in the same position as Kansas--scrambling to fund education and possibly cutting vital programs. Everyone likes tax cuts, but I stressed to him to be careful in making them."

The second point Moore wanted to make with Bush involved federal funding of special education to mainstream students with special needs into the public school system.

"The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a good program," he said. "The states did their job in implementing programs mandated by the federal government, but Congress didn’t do its job by following through in funding its portion of the mandates.

"I know the numbers are in the president’s budget, but not for full funding. I don’t want this to sound wrong, but sometimes I think because the federal government hasn’t held up its part of the funding, regular kids get shortchanged. The federal government must do its part in funding special education.

"I think we can find the funding in surpluses."

People, Moore said, should not be surprised to learn he agrees with many of the president’s education proposals, but he doesn’t support school vouchers.

"Vouchers would put kids in need and special education at the bottom tier of education," he said. "Comparing private school test scores to public school test scores is comparing apples and oranges. Private schools can pick and choose who they accept. By law, public schools have to accept everyone, and that’s the way it should be. There will always be differences in test scores.

"And to tell any single mom with two children she can provide them with quality education for $1,500 a year through vouchers is a lie. It simply can’t be done."