The University of Kansas and KU Medical Center stand to lose the most from $17 million worth of cuts announced by Gov. Sam Brownback Tuesday.
The state Board of Regents itemized those across-the-board cuts Wednesday.
University of Kansas: $3,953,202
KU Med: $3,225,784
Kansas State University: $3,071,297
K-State Veterinary Medicine: $440,646
K-State Research and Extension: $1,389,501
Wichita State University: $2,228,257
Emporia State University: $921,984
Fort Hays State University: $992,367
Pittsburg State University: $1,064,133
Total: $17,287,171
Kansas State University President Kirk Shulz expressed his dismay with the move Tuesday on Twitter:
Rep. Melissa Rooker (R-Fairway) calls these new cuts "deeply concerning". Her district covers many Med Center operations, including research labs and the KU Cancer Center. In addition, she says, many Med Center employees live within her district's bounds.
"I am alarmed by the ramifications of this, and I have concern for their ability to carry out their mission. That can't be overstated. They're under duress already," she says.
Brownback vows not to consider tax increases to cover the budget shortfall. In a statement yesterday, he continued to blame the national economy for his state's woes.
"This is an economic problem, not a tax policy problem," he said.
That rankles Rooker, who says all options need to be on the table.
"I know raising taxes is not a popular topic, but at this point we don't have any more tricks up our sleeves, to buy the time the administration says the tax plan requires," Rooker says. "We're up against a wall and our options are being limited artificially."
A former teacher, Kyle Palmer is KCUR's morning newscaster and reporter. You can follow him on Twitter @kcurkyle.
