Topeka ? State legislative leaders Tuesday announced the formation of a task force to address the shortage of engineering graduates in Kansas.

“We cannot afford to ignore the clear and compelling data which indicate the demand for engineering graduates outpaces current supply,” said Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton.

The Engineering Success for the Future of Kansas task force will study ways to stimulate interest in engineering degrees and to increase the number of graduates from the state’s three schools of engineering at Kansas University, Kansas State University and Wichita State University.

Morris was joined by House Speaker Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, and Democratic leaders in forming the task force.

Named to the task force were co-chairs Sen. Pete Brungardt, R-Salina, and Rep. Terrie Huntington, R-Fairway; and Sens. Bob Marshall, R-Fort Scott, Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, and Roger Reitz, R-Manhattan. Also named to the panel were Reps. Forrest Knox, R-Altoona, John Grange, R-El Dorado, and Milack Talia, D-Merriam.

Last year, the deans of the three engineering schools unveiled a five-year plan to increase the number of engineering graduates from 875 per year to 1,365 per year, an increase of 490 annually. The proposal was supported by industry.

But the plan would cost an additional $15 million, and lawmakers said because of the current budget crunch that would be difficult to fund.