Gov. addresses $727 million maintenance backlogs
In front of a packed house at the Capitol, Governor Sebelius, g'80, responded to concerns of the Kansas State Regents and alumni across the state about the growing problem of deferred maintenance. KU's campuses alone count more than $285 million in much-needed repairs, and more than $84 million a year is required to prevent further backlog.
In her State of the State address Jan. 10, the governor detailed her strategy:
- By the end of January, she will announce a "multi-year plan" to deal with the issue.
- She proposed a $30 million increase in the operating grant for higher education (the Regents had requested a 6 percent increase).
- She vowed to provide additional state scholarships for higher education to help middle-class families cope with the recent five-year climb in tuition costs in Kansas.
Leaders in the Kansas Legislature also included deferred maintenance in their goals for the session. Republicans in the House of Representatives proposed creating a trust fund of $75 million—one-tenth of the total bill—for repairs. They also asked for the Regents to submit a five-year plan that designates repairs in priority order, building by building.
Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, in his response to the State of the State address, announced a task force to grapple with the backlog of repairs, increasing tuition, and the operation of vocational and technical schools. He appointed Sen. Jean Schodorf, R-Wichita, to lead the group.
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