January 27, 2015
Legislative/budget update Jan. 26
Legislative update
Last week in the Kansas Legislature, the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committee reviewed the governor's allotment proposal in hearings on House Bill 2038 and Senate Bill 35. Also, the House Pensions and Benefits Committee reviewed the governor's proposals for the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, or KPERS.
Also appearing before the Legislative Education Committees and the Ways and Means Committees last week was Larry Isaak, president of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact.
This week in the Kansas Legislature the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committee will continue to review the governor's allotment proposal. The committees will continue hearings and discussion on House Bill 2038 and Senate Bill 35.
In addition this week, legislative committees will receive briefings on the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas BioScience Authority, Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, Kansas Water Authority, Kansas Board of Regents on technical and career education, National Conference of State Legislatures-Higher Learning Institute, and Johnson County Community College on today's community college in workforce development.
For information on these issues or to sign up for bill tracking on bills impacting higher education and state government please send a request to kstategr@k-state.edu.
University Budget Advisory Committee update
Recent work from the University Budget Advisory Committee has included development of a consistent, strategic process to review funding requests as part of a rolling, three-year budget for the university.
As part of that process, K-State's Budget Office is currently developing a variety of systemwide budget options for President Schulz's review. By mid-February, the president is expected to identify those options considered viable and forward to the University Budget Advisory Committee for review.
By mid-March, the committee will develop a complete set of recommendations for the president's final consideration. The committee also will monitor legislative and Kansas Board of Regents actions throughout the session and adjust recommendations as needed.
The University Budget Advisory Committee was appointed by President Schulz and is chaired by Provost and Senior Vice President April Mason. Questions and comments regarding K-State's budget are welcomed at budget@k-state.edu.