KU in the Capitol

In January, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius proposed a budget increase for the University of Kansas for Fiscal Year 2005, including a 3 percent salary raise for faculty and staff. While the increase is less than the Board of Regents requested, it does represent an improvement over the past two years.

Even so, KU would have to reallocate some existing funding and use a portion of next year's tuition increase to cover unmet needs, such as the higher cost of health insurance premiums and other fixed employer costs.

A highlight of the session promises to be the Kansas Economic Growth Act (HB 2647), which would set aside a portion of state tax revenue specifically to support biosciences research at KU and other universities that receive federal grants.

The goal of the bill is to invest about $500 million in biosciences-related facilities, staffing and research over the next 10-12 years, resulting in a projected 23,000 new jobs and 100+ new start-up companies in Kansas.

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway testified before a legislative hearing on February 9 concerning the Governor's FY2005 budget proposal. For his prepared remarks, background on HB 2467, and other current legislative information, go to http://www.govrelations.ku.edu/.