FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2019
Legislature to consider restoration of funding for higher education
(Topeka, Kan.) - When Kansas Legislators return for veto session this Wednesday, they are planning to consider restoration of funding to higher education. Currently the budget committees have agreed to an additional $16.4 million increase. The Senate plans to review language that would add an additional $33 million in base funding to the public higher education system.
“The Board of Regents is thankful to the Legislature and the Governor for their steps to restore funding to higher education,” said Kansas Board of Regents Chair Dennis Mullin. “During the past few months, we have heard from numerous business leaders about a growing talent gap in Kansas. Higher education offers our state the best path towards closing that gap and ensuring prosperity for Kansas families and businesses. State funding is critical to keeping our universities, community colleges and technical colleges affordable and accessible.”
During the 2019 Legislative session, more than 80 Kansas business leaders sent letters to legislators to advocate for restoration of funding for higher education. State universities have seen repeated cuts since Fiscal Year 2009. The requested restoration of funding aligns with the Regents’ strategic goals of increasing the number of Kansans with a certificate, degree, or other credential, and will help keep higher education affordable for students and their families.
The Regents’ unified appropriations request for Fiscal Year 2020 includes $50 million for state universities, as well as tuition assistance for National Guard Members, full funding for the Excel in Career Technical Education Initiative, funding for the postsecondary tiered and non-tiered technical state aid gap, and state aid for Washburn University.
For more information, please contact Matt Keith at (785) 430-4237 or
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About the Kansas Board of Regents:
The nine-member Kansas Board of Regents is the governing board of the state’s six universities and the statewide coordinating board for the state’s 32 public higher education institutions (six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition, the Board administers the state’s student financial aid, adult education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs. Private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions are authorized by the Kansas Board of Regents to operate in Kansas.