Budget debate begins

By Amy Geiszler-Jones

The annual ritual of requesting money for the next fiscal year from the governor and Legislature has begun.

WSU submitted a budget request for $91,229,290 that included a 7.6 percent increase for faculty and unclassified salaries and a 3.4 percent increase in operating expenses. The latter included enhancements for the master of social work program, the Institute for Rehabilitation Research and Service, the physical therapist assistant program, the Center for Physical Activity and Aging, and the Midwest Criminal Justice Institute. The request included step and longevity raises for classified staff.

Gov. Graves, however, is recommending a budget that is $3,006,362 less than WSU’s request. In his request, he recommends a 3.5 percent increase for faculty and unclassified salaries, a 1 percent cost of living allowance in addition to step and longevity raises for classified, and a 2.5 percent increase in operating expenses with a .5 percent increase dedicated to the library. The governor did not recommend funding for the program enhancements.

Graves also recommended a $2.5 million allocation to the Board of Regents for additional salary increases for distinguished full-time faculty.

The budget debate in the Kansas Legislature will begin in February.

For more information about the budget request and other legislative activities, go online to the new government relations Website at www.twsu.edu/~relation/.