Topeka — The House Appropriations Committee on Monday endorsed Gov. Sam Brownback's higher education budget, but several committee members voiced disapproval about spending levels at public universities.
Committee Chair Marc Rhoades, R-Newton, asked why higher education couldn't take a 10 percent cut.
Rep. Ward Cassidy, R-St. Francis, who chaired the education subcommittee, said the committee felt the universities were doing a good job. He added, "The governor stressed not to touch higher education."
Brownback's budget essentially keeps higher education funding flat with several enhancements, including $10 million over two years to help build a medical education building at the Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City Kan.
The Appropriations Committee agreed with that recommendation which could set up a confrontation with the Senate because the Senate budget committee took that $10 million out of the budget.
Cassidy passed out an information sheet to committee members that showed a 1 percent cut to higher education would slice $7.3 million, which includes a total of $2.4 million from KU and KU Med.
But the memo states that, based on previous studies, "for every one percent the Legislature cuts higher education, there will be a $90 million negative impact on the Kansas economy."
The budget recommendation will next go to the full House for consideration.
Comments
irtnog2001 2 months, 4 weeks ago
Why couldn't KU have used the Fairway building for the new Med-School? Everytime I drive by KU Med there there are a multitude of new buildings going up.
question4u 2 months, 4 weeks ago
"The memo states that, based on previous studies, 'for every one percent the Legislature cuts higher education, there will be a $90 million negative impact on the Kansas economy.'"
"Committee Chair Marc Rhoades, R-Newton, asked why higher education couldn't take a 10 percent cut."
So, Marc Rhodes asks why the Kansas economy can't handle a $900 million negative impact. This is the CHAIR of the appropriations committee!
Send in the clowns...don't bother, they're here.
irtnog2001 2 months, 4 weeks ago
Please publish the memo!
JJTitan83 2 months, 4 weeks ago
What, you mean Brownback's cronies approved his proposal? I'm just shocked.
freethinker 2 months, 3 weeks ago
brownback is the biggest setback that this state has ever seen. what a loser.
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