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 KU in the Capitol
Legislature passes budget for 2005-06; includes salary, operating grant increases
The Kansas Legislature sent its $11.3 billion 2005-06 budget bill to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius April 1. The Legislature is in recess until April 27, when it will return for approximately three days to address any unresolved issues for this session.
The outcome of the budget was termed “a positive step” by Reggie Robinson, president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents. It represents a compromise between a Senate version of the budget, which mirrored the Governor’s original proposal in January, and a House version that would have reduced state spending for higher education.
“The good outweighs the bad,” said Paul Carttar, executive vice chancellor for external affairs at KU. "We have every reason to be relatively satisfied with how things are playing out in the Legislature."
Highlights of the budget bill for KU and other state universities include:
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a $4.9 million block operating grant increase systemwide (excluding salary increases)
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$3.3 million in state funds for faculty salary enhancements systemwide, as promised under Senate Bill 345;
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resolution of next year’s so-called “27 th pay period” issue; and
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a salary increase for classified state employees.
The salary increase will be provided in two stages. Employees will receive a 1.25% increase, effective July 1, followed by another 1.25% increase, effective January 1. The first 13 two-week pay periods will be self-funded by KU and the other universities. Salary increases for the rest of the year will be paid from state funds.
Gov. Sebelius originally proposed a 2.5% state-funded salary increase, effective July 1. As passed, the salary plan only addresses classified staff. The state salary plan for faculty and other unclassified staff will be determined later by the Board of Regents, but usually reflects the plan provided for classified staff.
For more information about these and other legislative issues and their impact on KU, go to http://www.govrelations.ku.edu/.
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