Topeka ? Kansas University and public employee retirees will get some help in a “lean” budget.

But kindergartners will have to wait.

That’s part of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ proposed $13.6 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

“She is recommending a lean budget. It keeps the commitments that have been made and also targets money to some key investments, like early-childhood programs,” Sebelius’ budget director Duane Goossen said today.

It also depends on gambling revenue before a slot machine or casino have been approved under the state’s new gambling law.

The budget provides $6.4 million annually for a 1 percent cost of living adjustment for each of the next three years for retirees under the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System. If enacted, it would be the first COLA under KPERS since 1998.

For KU, some of the projected new gambling revenue would be dedicated to expansion of the Pharmacy School.

KU also would receive $5 million to continue its efforts to be designated a national cancer care institution.

Overall, higher education would receive a $35 million increase in its operating grant, which is approximately a 3 percent increase.

And the Sebelius budget would increase funds to take care of renovations and repairs on university campuses by $15 million.

College-bound students would also see a $3 million increase in state scholarships under the plan.

But phasing-in of full-day kindergarten would have to wait until the 2009-10 school year, under the plan.

Sebelius” budget does finance the final year of a three-year school finance package, but the price tag has gone up.

Once estimated at $122 million, the new figure is $167.6 million because of increases in special education costs. And she adds $23 million in grants for early childhood learning programs.