Issue Position: Higher Education

Issue Position

As a State Representative of Manhattan, Home of Kansas State University, I advocate for the students, faculty and staff. I believe in Higher Education as the opportunity for individuals to learn how to succeed in this ever-changing global society. It is imperative that we avail ourselves of every chance to study and grow even as we are in the work world. However, Higher Education has been the target for the Ultra Conservatives in the legislature. Perhaps they don't believe that education should be available for all.

In response to 2016 February revenue numbers being $53 million below expectations the Governor decided to immediately cut all regent universities by 3% for a total of $17 million from all schools. This cut affected all regent universities including Kansas State. With this cut coming so far into FY17 (which ends June 30th) that 3% cut translated to about a 9% cut during the last quarter. The universities re-evaluated their budgets and established crisis priorities. They had to increase tuition and cut student services and programs. And the faculty of course did not get a raise at that time.

With the last cut, Regents Universities suffered $34 Million in 2017. KSU and KU took the biggest portion of these cuts because of a formula that was used by a legislator who made the motion that took more from the two major universities (5.1% from KSU) and less from other universities. Incidentally, that legislator did lose his seat in the August 2 Primary Election.

In the FY2018 budget the universities were restored $11Million and in FY 2019 we restored $15.9 Million. Leaving universities funds still about $7 million short of restoring those cuts. As a member of the Appropriations Committee I will again move to restore needed money to our Regent's.

I am concerned about the declining enrollment and the impact it has on classes and programs. To attract professors and support staff we need to work to create the best Regents system in the United States. A healthy university is our #1 economic driver.

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