On Friday, Feb. 25, Sue Peterson, chief government relations officer and assistant to the president of Kansas State, shared first-round budget recommendations passed by the House Higher Education Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee. The committees made their recommendations before adjourning this past week.
The recommendations from both committees included base adjustments to State Universities — one of which is a freeze on state tuition rates, IT Infrastructure and the Kansas Access Partnership Grant, which provides need-based aid.
Peterson said the House recommended $20 million and the Senate $25 million for state university base adjustments. Both committees recommended a one-time $20 million allocation for IT infrastructure. The Kansas Access Partnership Grant recommendations were $25 million with recipients matching from the House and a split recommendation from the Senate that allocated $15 million for the grant, and the other $10 million for the Regents Comprehensive Grant Program with no match for either.
However, neither committee took action on the Governor’s budget recommendation for a five percent cost of living adjustment for state employees.
Peterson said the Senate Ways and Means Committee would receive the Senate Ways and Means Subcommittee recommendations on Thursday.
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She said the legislature would continue to meet throughout the month and take a break April 2-25, returning on April 26.
Peterson reviewed other House and Senate bills affecting higher education, highlighting each bill and its potential impact.
Peterson canceled the session scheduled for Friday, March 4. However, Legislative review sessions will resume from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, March 11, via Zoom. Anyone with a KSU eID and password can attend the sessions. Access is available through the Zoom link on the Governmental Relations website.
Additional information, including a list of legislative hearings for the current week and access to the Kansas Legislature committee meetings, is also available through the website.
