June 13, 2017
Legislative update June 13
The Kansas Legislature adjourned on Saturday, June 10. The formal adjournment, Sine Die is scheduled for Monday, June 26. Prior to the adjournment the Legislature passed a new school finance formula for K-12 schools. The formula passed in Senate Bill 19 is on the Governor's desk. If approved, the Kansas Supreme Court will review to determine if the formula and appropriations meet their March ruling.
The legislature passed a tax package in Senate Bill 30. The bill was vetoed by the Governor and subsequently the Governor's veto was overridden by the legislature and the tax package becomes state law on July 1. The Kansas Legislative Research Department reports the Kansas Department of Revenue's latest information indicates the bill would generate the following State General Fund receipts:
- Fiscal year 2018 $591.0 million
- Fiscal year 2019 $633.0 million
- Fiscal year 2020 $617.4 million
- Fiscal year 2021 $584.4 million
- Fiscal year 2022 $590.3 million
The last item the Legislature approved was the budget for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. The final budget in House Bill 2002 has not yet gone to the Governor and will not be law until after the Governor has taken action. The items for K-State and higher education:
- Restore funding in fiscal year 2018 for the University of Kansas and Kansas State University to a 4 percent reduction:
University of Kansas $1,557,657
K-State $1,121,539
Total $2,679,196
- Restore funding in fiscal year 2019 for all universities — except Emporia State University, Pittsburg State University and KSU-ESARP* — to a 3 percent reduction:
University of Kansas $2,920,558
University of Kansas School of Medicine $354,393
Kansas State University $2,146,060
K-State Veterinary Health Center $56,205
Wichita State University $609,863
Fort Hays State University $43,218
Washburn University $119,000
Total $6,249,297
*KSU-ESARP's allotment made in fiscal year 2017 was 2.8 percent.
- State Employee Pay Plan
2.5 percent for state employees with less than five years of service.
5 percent for state employees who have not had a pay adjustment in five years.
- State universities are required to report to the Legislative Budget Committee the efficiencies identified in the institution.