Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Alex Garrison contributed to the reporting of this story
Almost every state agency will be affected by Governor Mark Parkinson’s newest round of budget cuts, which were announced in a news conference Monday and will cut $2 million from the Board of Regents’ budget.
Citing declining tax revenues, Parkinson cut a total of $285.9 million to state agencies and opted to keep the money in the state’s general fund. The Board of Regents’ budget, which was $747 million, will be cut back to what it was in 2006.
Kathy Damron, director of state relations for the University, said University officials feared an even larger cut than what was announced. She said she was pleased the governor found a way to balance the budget without another deep cut to higher education.
Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson answers a question during the press conference on state budget cuts Monday afternoon in Topeka.
BOARD OF REGENTS’ BUDGET
FY 2006: $747 million
FY 2007: $785 million
FY 2008: $829 million
FY 2009, first draft: $853 million
FY 2009, after amendments: $817 million
FY 2010: $790 million
FY 2010, after amendments: $768 million
FY 2010, after first allotment: $753 million
FY 2010, after second Allotment: $747 million
“I think that’s in line with the statements he has made up to this point about his priorities for Kansas and wanting to see our universities be able to continue to serve students and meet the needs of future workforce areas where we have particular shortages,” Damron said.
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little said in a news release that it was a relief to know Parkinson was able to avoid future deep cuts to education. But she said the University endured those cuts earlier this year when it had to eliminate course sections and lay off 200 employees. Gray-Little said the budget reductions had affected efforts to earn a National Cancer Institute designation.
“We’ve had to scale back efforts to recruit top faculty and researchers who are vital to this and other important research programs,” Gray-Little said.
The Board of Regents will make the final decision about what cuts to individual academic institutions will be. The Regents have their next general meeting Dec. 16 and 17.
Regent Gary Sherrer said in a news release that the cuts had already reached a point where the quality of education would be affected.
“It’s important for Kansans to understand that ongoing higher education budget cuts are jeopardizing their opportunity to enroll in and complete academic programs,” Sherrer said.
Sherrer said increased class sizes and reduced course offerings made it harder for students to graduate in four years.
Other state budget cuts include $50 million from highway maintenance funds, $36 million from K-12 education and $5 million from the Kansas Bioscience Authority.
“There’s no way to sugarcoat this,” Parkinson said. “This will have very negative effects across the state.”
Parkinson said he did not wait for the legislature to meet to cut funds because he wanted to give agencies time to figure out what to cut before the 2010 Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2010.
“By making the announcements now, the recipients of funds can act in a prudent way,” Parkinson said.
Parkinson said the frequency of budget cuts in the past four years was unprecedented in the state’s history. He said there was never a time before when the budget had been cut multiple years in a row.
“The waste is gone,” Parkinson said. “The cuts we are making now are to basic services.”
Before the governor’s news conference, Kevin Corbett, president of Jayhawks for Higher Education, said the group was “extraordinarily concerned” about budget cuts to higher education. He said he hoped Parkinson, who graduated in 1984 from the University’s School of Law, would be considerate of the Regents institutions.
“We hope he will show strong support, as he has in the past, of higher education,” Corbett said.
Parkinson said he would start working on the 2011 budget today. The University announced it would hold a budget forum to discuss how budget decisions will be made at noon Dec. 2 in Alderson Auditorium on Level 4 of the Kansas Union.
— Edited by Nick Gerik
Parkinson announces new round of budget cuts
Legislators work to fund education budget
Gov. Mark Parkinson recommends an increase in taxes to help fund higher ...
Parkinson addresses budget shortfall, prevents cuts to ...
In a speech today, Gov. Parkinson released his plan to address budget ...
Budget deficit forces transportation cuts
Governor’s proposal avoids further cuts to education
Governor comments on ticket scandal, Perkins allegations
The governor said he wants a quick resolution to KU's investigation of ...
Parkinson: No cuts to higher education
Governor proposes to increase cigarette or sales taxes instead.
Editorial: State budget freeze raises concerns
Gov. Mark Parkinson needs to keep his promise and stop cut higher ...
University leaders see victory in state budget
Gov. Brownback’s proposal avoids additional cuts for higher education
Future admission requirements may change
Kansas Governor and Regents discuss elevating school rankings by toughening standards.
Students encouraged to help protect higher education
Senate considers resolution against further cuts in Kansas.
Educators question Brownback's higher education plans
The newly elected governor takes on a system that has suffered $100 ...
University budget faces cuts
Amount of operating money reflects the current economic situation.
University plans for worst after Regents' suggested ...
Editorial: New Hemenway salary too much
The Regents need to adjust former chancellor's salary or explain why it ...
Budget cuts hinder academic programs
Reduced course offerings make it tougher for students to graduate on time.
Board of Regents needs additional state funding
Unless the Regents receive a 3.9-percent increase in funding, state universities will ...
New bill could reduce pay for university ...
Kansas faces deeeper budget cuts to balance budget shortfall of $550 million.
University trims expenditures to prepare for budget ...
State agencies will face a 3 percent budget cut for the upcoming ...
Editorial: Quality schools need funding
Doherty discusses budget cuts and the importance of school funding.
Governor wants to improve school ranking
Parkinson calls for tougher admission standards.
SAC seeks support from state senators
Student leaders sent a letter asking for endorsement on the Kansas Commitment.
Thompson: Where can we actually make the ...
Regents outline goals for education
In efforts to remain nationally competitive, the Board of Regents outlined new ...
Governor appoints three to Board of Regents
The appointments are subject to approval of the Kansas Senate.
Budget reduction expected to raise tuition
Students covered by the University's tuition compact will not be affected, but ...
Shorman: Smoking ban strips student rights
Banning sale of tobacco on campus is about more than blowing smoke.
Inflation catches up with state funding
Students have to pay more for education as tuition rates rise.
Static faculty salaries amount to pay cuts
Faculty and staff face the looming possibility of a third consecutive year ...
Editorial: Expectations still high for Chancellor
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little still needs to prove that
Board of Regents reviews proposals
The University will see changes in degrees offered, student housing prices and ...
Regents propose $10 million in new financial ...
The program is a reaction to dramatic tuition increases and a lack ...
Board of Regents chairman unexpectedly resigns
Gary Sherrer said Wednesday he's leaving because of conflicts with other Regents.
Parkinson may fill governorship
Lt. Gov. Parkinson would fill governor’s vacancy if Sebelius is chosen for ...
University jobs lost as a result of ...
Eleven staff members lost their jobs in this round of cuts as ...
Tuition increase coming this fall
Kansas Board of Regents approved a state-wide increase on public university tuition.
Politically Correct: State budget cuts
Political columnists sound off on budget cuts.
Regents proposal would freeze tuition
The plan could cause problems for the University’s four-year tuition compact.
Board of Regents to determine tuition
Their decision will affect the four-year tution freeze compact offered to incoming ...
Regents allocating funds to maintenance, tuition
Two thirds of funds are going towards deferred maintenance with the remainder ...
Students lobby for end to budget cuts
Students used talking points, personal stories to encourage legislators to stop further ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
New state budget slices $2M from education
Taking into account the roughly 30,000 undergrads at KU, this would mean increasing out tuition about $67 each. This might be worth the money, but I wonder what the $2 million being taken away will affect? Does anyone know what programs/classes will be cut?
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID