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January 23, 2009

KU agenda moving in Legislature

KU's legislative agenda saw considerable activity in the second week of the legislative session, with the Kansas Senate passing Senate Bill 8 as its first legislative action. This measure provides important medical malpractice coverage for medical students at the KU School of Medicine in Wichita and Kansas City. Its passage in the Senate now sends the bill to the Kansas House for consideration in that chamber.

In the House this week, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Kevin Yoder held a hearing on the impact of proposed budget cuts to higher education in Kansas. Testifying from the Board of Regents was President Reggie Robinson who detailed for committee members the significant impact that $120 million in budget cuts would have on universities in Kansas.

Also this week, Chancellor Robert Hemenway and KU Cancer Center Director Dr. Roy Jensen held a series of meetings with top legislative leadership at the Statehouse. In meetings with policymakers from throughout Kansas, the KU leadership team briefed lawmakers on the progress being made by the KU Cancer Center to develop clinical partnerships in many Kansas communities as it works to become an NCI designated center and enhance cancer care in the region.

KU School of Pharmacy Dean Ken Audus was also involved in legislative advocacy, as efforts continue to develop the school's expansion project in Lawrence and Wichita. This year's budget recommendations suggest lawmakers authorize further bonding authority to complete the project in both cities, which could begin to have an impact as early as Fall 2010 with new enrollment and programs in Wichita.

For more information on individual bills and voting records, go to www.kslegislature.org.