Kansas Association of Community College Trustees
700 SW Jackson, Suite 1000 • Topeka, KS 66603-3757 • 785-357-5156 • FAX 785-357-5157
• 19cc@kacct.org
Sheila Frahm, Executive Director
Policy
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700 S. W. Jackson, Ste. 1000, Topeka, Kansas 66603 - (785)-357-5156 |
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ODT Included in
Education Budget Committee Recommendation…. Following a Monday
afternoon presentation by President Ed Berger, Hutchinson CC and Chairman of
the Finance Committee, the House Education Budget Committee concurred with
the Governor’s recommendation, which provides $5,086,081 for Community
College Operating Grants. Additionally,
Rep. Carl Krehbiel, R-Moundridge, offered an amendment to complete the final
year of the out-district tuition buy-down by adding in $3.2 million to
offset the ODT loss to community colleges and Washburn University. Community colleges would receive $3.1 million as their
portion. The amendment passed with just two dissenting votes. Next step for this portion of the House Budget will be a vote
of the full Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, February 21.
The Senate Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee heard Dr.
Berger’s presentation on Thursday, but has not yet held their
deliberations. Deferred Maintenance
on the Agenda….Both the Senate
Ways and Means Committee and the House Higher Education Committee have heard
about the need to address deferred maintenance concerns at the State’s
postsecondary institutions. While
the conversations are a result of the Regents’ focus on the six
universities, the discussion has expanded to also include the building
maintenance needs at community colleges and technical schools.
The House Higher Education Committee has passed HB 2745 which would
establish a mechanism for funding maintenance and technology projects at the
public higher education institutions in the state.
It calls for a surtax of 3.65 percent of the income tax due beginning
in tax year 2006. Two-thirds of
the revenue would be used for maintenance and modernization with one-third
used for technology investments and new programs.
Everyone on the committee realizes
that a tax increase in an election year is a death knell for the
legislation, but the committee hopes the idea will at least stimulate
discussion of this issue. House
Passes Property Tax Elimination….The
property tax exemption on new machinery and equipment purchased after July
1, 2006, HB 2619, easily passed the House on Wednesday with a 106-15 vote.
It moves to the Senate with an anticipated price tag of $316 million
although most would agree that amount is probably understated.
It is important to remember this legislation only affects new
equipment. Community college
business officers are calculating the impact this exemption would have on
each of the 19 campuses. Updates
will follow. Legislative Deadline
Looming….Next week is expected
to be a busy week for the legislature as the 2006 Session approaches
turnaround, the date when all bills must move from their house of origin in
order for further consideration. In
the spirit of “never say never,” however, there are some exceptions. In the House, Appropriations, Taxation, Federal and State
Affairs and Calendar and Printing and, in the Senate, Ways and Means,
Assessment and Taxation and Federal and State Affairs are exempt from this
rule. That means bills in the
non-exempt committees may be re-referred to one of the exempt committees to
keep them alive. Repeal of In-state
Tuition for Undocumented Citizens Dies….A bill calling for the repeal of last year’s controversial bill which
provides in-state tuition for undocumented citizens who have attended for
three years and graduated from a Kansas high school has been, at least
temporarily, derailed in committee. A
tie vote in committee was broken with Chairman John Edmonds, R-Great Bend
casting the deciding vote against HB 2615 and preventing the legislation
from moving forward. Tuition
breaks for undocumented citizens remains a hot topic and most are predicting
that this legislation will find its way into an amendment on another bill. Meningitis Bill
Ready to Go….The Kansas
Department of Health and Environment is pushing HB 2396, intended to protect
college students from meningitis infection by requiring students either
receive the meningitis vaccine or sign a waiver indicating they know their
increased risk of contracting the disease.
According to KDHE, “Everyone has a small chance of contracting
meningitis, but those that live in college dormitories are at a modestly
increased risk, apparently due to the close contact among residents.”
If passed, the bill would become effective beginning with the fall
2006 semester. KDHE believes
the vaccine can be offered a minimal cost to students since most dorm
residents are still covered by their parent’s health insurance or would be
eligible to receive free vaccination through the Vaccines for children
program at their local health department.
KDHE has agreed to work with health departments to make sure the
vaccine is available. The bill,
which was introduced in 2005, was referred to Health and Human Services.
No hearing has been scheduled to date, but this is one that could
easily be amended into another bill. You, Too, May Have
Money Waiting To Be Claimed….Last
week Rep. Stephanie Sharp, R-Lenexa, reported in her newsletter about State
Treasurer Lynn Jenkins' unclaimed property website.
She received great feedback from constituents who found that they had
unclaimed money. Following her
lead, we are sharing her “how to” so you, too, can claim any long
forgotten cash…
The
Week Ahead….Committee
meetings of interest next week include: Monday,
February 20: House Higher Education
Possible
action on bills previously heard
Tuesday,
February 21: House Education Budget Committee
1:30 p.m., Rm. 514-S
Budget Committee Reports
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