January 17, 2018
Legislative update
The 2018 Kansas Legislature convened on Monday, Jan. 8. Gov. Sam Brownback presented his final State of the State Address to a joint session of the Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 9. This year, the top priority for Kansas Board of Regents and six universities is to restore the nearly $24 million in budget cuts made to higher education in fiscal year 2017. The restoration for Kansas State University is $4.87 million. This recommendation was not included in the governor's Budget Proposal.
This week John Floros, Kansas State College of Agriculture dean and director of K-State Research and Extension, will testify to a joint meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture on Thursday, Jan. 18. The dean is required by Kansas law to submit an annual report to the Kansas Legislature.
Also, this week on Thursday, Jan. 18, Kansas State University will join the other 38 public higher education institutions for Higher Education Day in the State Capitol. The day kicks off with a breakfast for all legislators and members of the Kansas Board of Regents hosted by the higher education institutions.
The Kansas legislative session's first adjournment will be Friday, April 6. The veto session will convene on Thursday, April 26. The 90th day is May 4.
Please see the weekly updates every Tuesday in K-State Today through the 90th day or final adjournment.
In addition, the Office of Government Relations will hold Kansas Legislative Review Sessions Jan. 19, Feb. 2 and 12 in the Union Bluemont Room; and March 2, 16 and 30 in Hale Library's Hemisphere Room. These sessions are open to the public and attendees are welcome to bring a brownbag lunch.