HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson residents are invited for a town hall meeting focusing on what organizers say are steps state leaders can take to get Kansas back on track to prosperity with policies that put Kansas families and communities first.
The Hutchinson Community Conversation is scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Hutchinson Labor Temple at 5th & Main. The event is being organized by the Kansas Organization of State Employees and the American Federation of Teachers-Kansas. The discussion will be facilitated by Deena Burnett, who is the United Teachers of Wichita communications director.
“As the Legislature addresses the state budget crisis,” AFT-Kansas President Lisa Ochs said, “we want to make sure the voices of Kansas working families are heard in Topeka. Their message is that it’s time to invest in Kansas again. It’s time that our legislators and Governor Brownback recognize that they must adopt policies that make our state work for all Kansans—not just the fortunate few.”
Local residents attending the session will have a chance to participate in discussions on upcoming legislative decisions on resources for education, healthcare and other public services vital to economic recovery in Kansas.
“Despite promises by the governor and legislators who supported his revenue policies, the Kansas economy is lagging,” Rebecca Proctor, executive director of KOSE, said. “Prosperity and progress are within the reach of Kansas families—but our state officials must make the decisions that will enable us to achieve those goals.”
KOSE and AFT-Kansas are sponsoring several community conversations, beginning with the one in Hutchinson. They are aimed at making sure that the priorities of local residents are clearly understood by their representatives in Topeka.
The next event will be in Wichita on Saturday.