(Flickr Photo by Sgt. Pepperedjane)
Kansas House and Senate negotiators have delayed the start of talks aimed at smoothing out differences between the budgets passed in each chamber. The meeting originally scheduled for early this (MON) afternoon was cancelled because the Senate had not yet officially appointed that chamber’s three negotiators. Marc Rhoades, a Republican from Newton, is the lead House negotiator. He says one of the biggest disagreements involves a cut to higher education funding. The House budget includes a 4 percent cut to colleges and universities, totaling about $30 million. The Senate budget has a 2 percent cut and some other targeted reductions. Rhoades believes they will be able to come to an agreement.
Governor Sam Brownback did not recommend cuts to higher ed in his budget proposal. The negotiators are now scheduled to meet tomorrow (TUE) morning.