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March 6, 2009

Legislators favorable to KU agenda as FY 2010 budget remains unclear

March Madness has hit the Kansas Legislature, as policymakers are entering the second half of the 2009 session amidst continued budget shortfalls, repeated debate about energy policy and news of a VIP Jayhawk: Governor Sebelius being asked to join the Obama administration.

For the University of Kansas, the past week has been one of great progress for its legislative agenda. Here is a quick update on key issues:

1. Jayhawk Generations Bill. HB 2007 would allow the Kansas Board of Regents to let KU and other universities in the state provide some levels of tuition waivers to undergraduate students in an effort to recruit out-of-state students. For example, KU might be allowed to create a program for students whose parents, grandparents or legal guardians graduated from KU and meet certain academic requirements. The bill was heard in the Senate Education Committee and advanced unanimously to the full Senate where debate will occur in the near future.

2. Comprehensive Admission Standards. HB 2197 would allow admission standards for colleges and universities to by set by the Kansas Board of Regents rather than in state statute. Kansas is the only state in the nation where the Legislature sets admission standards for colleges and universities in this manner. The bill would erase outdated minimum achievement standards for admission into a state university, as well as a hodgepodge of exceptions. The Senate Education Committee heard HB 2197 and committee members reacted favorably with no opposition to the bill expressed.

3. Budget for Higher Education. The details are still being sorted out, but lawmakers in Kansas appear poised to incorporate federal economic stimulus dollars into state budgets where appropriate. For KU and other Regents institutions this means a great deal. Some $84 million would be targeted for higher education in Kansas and the Governor is suggesting that the funds be used to tackle the backlog of deferred maintenance projects on college campuses. Meanwhile, the House Appropriations Committee effort would reduce higher ed funding by approximately 8.25 percent for FY 2010 as compared to the Senate Ways & Means Committee effort which takes a nearly 13% reduction. The budget debate is still in a fairly early stage and no final decisions will be made until May, but the House committee action was very encouraging. We'll continue working to minimize the impact of state budget shortfalls on KU given the negative effects large budget cuts would have on the university's ability to provide educated graduates for the Kansas workforce.