The Kansas Board of Regents will seek a $50 million increase in state aid to higher education in fiscal 2012 to restore some of the money lost to budget cuts over the past two years.
The regents have proposed the Kansas Commitment Plan, which would add $50 million to the current higher ed budget. Spending totaled $751 million in fiscal 2011, about $100 million a year less than before state revenues began sliding in fiscal 2009.
Regents chairman Gary Sherrer, a former lieutenant governor, said the regents would seek support of the plan in the 2011 Legislature, despite opposition from Governor-elect Sam Brownback.
"Because higher education is an economic engine, we'll continue to make the case to policymakers that higher education should be a greater priority," Sherrer said.
The five-part Kansas Commitment plan adopted by regents in September includes $20 million through a 2.7% funding increase for all 32 public colleges and universities in Kansas based on inflation, resumption of a deferred maintenance plan that would cost $15.8 million, and rebating to the six state university campuses $10 million of state sales tax revenue generated annually at the schools.
"The board has identified the resources needed to protect the state's higher education infrastructure, keep college affordable, and boost the state's economy," Sherrer said. "We've provided the governor-elect and the Legislature with targeted investment opportunities that all produce much-needed economic growth."
