As we enjoy Spring Break, two matters weigh heavily on the mind — the Kansas Legislature and the Kansas basketball team.
In Topeka, the last two weeks have been tumultuous, filled with legislative budget maneuvers that affect the university and potentially everyone's paycheck.
I won't try to explain all the complicated budget actions, other than to say that they can be easily summarized. There are now two versions of a state budget for FY 2006, one from the Kansas Senate and one from the Kansas House. You can check out the details on KU's website: www.govrelations.ku.edu
The Senate Ways & Means budget endorses a modest 3.8% increase for Regents universities, which would make possible a 2.5% salary increase for state employees beginning on July 1, 2005. It will be voted on in the Senate on Wednesday, March 23rd.
The House version, already passed, cuts the Regents universities' state appropriation by $23.6 million. It defers any salary increase by 9 months (till April 1, 2006), and also fails to provide recurring funding for implementing the increase, even after 9 months of waiting. In effect, the 2.5% proposed increase dissolves into a 0.6% raise.
The Medical Center particularly suffers in the House version, losing $4.6 million in proposed new funding.
Needless to say, I prefer the Senate version; I hope you will let legislators know of your preference.
Key decisions will come in the next 2 weeks when the Senate and House go into "conference" to reconcile the two versions of the budget.
If the Senate can hold firm for their version, the Kansas system of education can avoid "cannibalizing" higher education to feed K-12 education. You will observe a lot of smoke and mirrors over the next two weeks as budget details are discussed, but keep these basic facts in mind — the Senate version helps KU, the House version hurts KU.
In the midst of the House voting last week, many House members supported KU and the Regents System. We owe them our gratitude. One House member even praised KU as the home of All-American Wayne Simien.
Like all KU fans, he was proud of what Wayne and his teammates accomplished this year, and I know he suffered, as we all did, in the loss to Bucknell.
In the bitterness of the loss it is easy to forget how much pride, joy and good feeling Coach Self and this team generated for the university and its fans.
The Jayhawks lifted our spirit and made us proud of their victories. If you agree, why not send a note or an e-mail to the Athletic Department thanking Aaron Miles, Wayne Simien, Keith Langford, and Michael Lee for what their success has meant to us. Let Bill Self and the rest of the team know how much we look forward to next year, and how much confidence we have in them. It is the least we can do to express our gratitude for twenty-five wins and a thrilling season.
In the meantime, we will do everything we can, with your help, and that of the KU supporters in the Legislature, to secure the Senate budget proposal.
Sincerely,
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