Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' proposed budget calls for a $23.3 million increase in funding for higher education, including $13 million for a 2.5 percent pay raise for state employees. The requested increase does not address the $584 million deferred maintenance backlog at the six regents universities in Kansas.
See story about KU's Office of Government Relations.
The $23.3 million increase would be in addition to the $578.6 million base for higher education. The increase for fiscal year 2007 would be a 4.03 percent increase, about 2 percent less than what the Kansas State Board of Regents requested, $36.3 million.
"The University of Kansas greatly appreciates the governor's continued recognition of the higher education opportunities offered by KU and other institutions in the state," Chancellor Robert Hemenway said in a statement about Sebelius' budget.
"During her State of the State speech, the governor noted the Kansas economy is improving. Her decision to increase the state's investment in higher education will extend this positive economic trend by offering Kansas companies an educated workforce that's prepared to do business in a global economy."
While no legislative action has been taken on the proposed funding increase, Keith Yehle, director of government relations, said his office's goal is to see the increased funding go through.
"We will work to ensure the governor's budget recommendations are enacted by the legislature," he said.
The regents have voiced their support for the budget as well.
Sebelius also called for a $5 million annual commitment to help secure NCI cancer center designation for the KU Cancer Center, which would be housed at the KU Medical Center. Hemenway has stated achieving NCI designation is the university's No. 1 priority.
Although the governor's budget does not address deferred maintenance, the regents have proposed a long-term plan including a $150 million bond issue, with debt served from the Education Building Fund, financed by a statewide property tax mill levy and a one-tenth-cent sales tax increase that would expire after 10 years. The plan has not been addressed by the legislature.
Deferred maintenance projects are necessary repair and rehabilitation to infrastructure and buildings that cannot be accomplished because of inadequate funding.
At KU, the deferred maintenance backlog is $168.5 million. At the Medical Center, the total is $68.8 million. Some of KU's most pressing needs are underground pipes, exposed wiring, leaking roofs and crumbling stone and masonry. A recent campus audit showed many buildings had a condition rating of 70 or less. A perfect rating is 100. The buildings that scored 70 or less included Allen Fieldhouse, Danforth Chapel; Spencer Research Library; and Bailey, Dyche, Fraser, Lindley, Lippincott and Malott halls.
In December, regents allocated $15 million for the eight state universities. About $4.5 million was expected to go to KU and $1.5 million was set aside for the Medical Center. KU's priority list for that money included:
It is estimated that $74 million should be spent annually on maintenance. In fiscal year 2005, only $7 million was allocated by the state. Those numbers don't address the $584 million deferred maintenance backlog.
"Kansans are the mortgage holders of these buildings," Yehle said. "We have to be sure to provide the maintenance for them."
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