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What the One Big Beautiful Bill Means for the Child Tax Credit
On Friday, July 4, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law, ushering in a sweeping set of tax and fiscal changes with long-term implications for the federal budget, families, and state policy alike. One of the most closely…
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Update – June 2025
This month’s highlights: Top News — Federal debates on the child tax credit and student loans gain momentum, while the Supreme Court lets Oklahoma’s religious charter school ruling stand. Missouri Update — Special session ends with new property tax ballot measures; the school funding task force begins work…
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Congress Weighs the Future of the Child Tax Credit
As Congress negotiates the next major federal tax package, the future of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) is once again up for debate. With key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) set to expire at the…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – Recap of 2025 legislative sessions, what’s ahead for Aligned. Additional Highlights – Aligned hosted an education roundtable, bringing together key voices in Kansas City. Read our latest newsletter.
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – The state of school finance reform in both states. Missouri Update – Brief legislative session recap and remembering Kit Bond. Kansas Update – More school bond elections and a look at district cash reserves. Additional Highlights – A fond farewell to Linda Rallo,…
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Analyzing School District Cash Reserves in Kansas
During the first few meetings of the Kansas Education Funding Task Force, both policymakers and district leaders have raised a familiar question: how much money are school districts keeping in reserve — and why? It’s a fair question, with both practical…
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Supporting Educators Beyond Teacher Appreciation Week
As Kansas and Missouri celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, educators across both states and the nation are sounding the same alarm: appreciation is welcome, but action is essential. Recent survey data show a profession under strain, with many teachers questioning whether they…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – As Kansas and Missouri celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, educators across both states and the nation are sounding the same alarm: appreciation is welcome, but action is essential. Missouri Update – Where Aligned priorities stand heading into the…
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Supreme Court Weighs Religious Charters
A closely watched U.S. Supreme Court case could open the door for religious organizations to operate publicly funded charter schools. The outcome could have sweeping implications for charter school governance, religious liberty, and state education policy nationwide. In 2023, Oklahoma’s Statewide Virtual Charter…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – U.S. Supreme Court hears case on religious charter schools Missouri Update – Open enrollment bill heard, a new workforce effort launched, and two new education leaders announced Kansas Update – A look at preschool…
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Head Start facing elimination after 60 years
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe said this week he would consider using state surplus funds to keep Head Start going if Congress approves discretionary spending cuts for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed by the Trump Administration. His comments follow a leaked draft of the…
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Weekly Update
This week’s highlights: Top News – Head Start facing elimination after 60 years Missouri Update – A look at the Governor’s first 100 days Kansas Update – Revenues Are Up — But Kansas’ Budget Still Faces Long-Term Imbalance Additional Highlights…
Resources Hub
Access nonpartisan research and news about the policies shaping education in Kansas and Missouri.