Topeka ? A House committee on Thursday approved a higher education budget that includes $2 million for a proposed institute at Kansas University to develop new treatments for diseases.

Funding for the so-called Kansas Institute for Translational Chemical Biology was one of six enhancements at public universities recommended by Gov. Sam Brownback.

A Senate subcommittee approved all of those enhancements except the KU proposal.

“I’m very grateful the House Appropriations Committee approved all six of the university enhancements,” said Kansas Board of Regents Chairman Fred Logan. “I hope the Senate will take another look,” at the translational institute, Logan said.

The full Senate Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to consider the higher education budget on Tuesday.

The bill advanced by the House Appropriations Committee will also restore about one-fourth of a salary cap cut the Legislature made last year.