Sebelius signs improvements to Regents schools, tech ed
Higher education enhancements among bills signed today

Education beyond high school is increasingly important in the modern economy and any state that wishes to remain competitive must make commitments to its institutions of higher learning, Governor Kathleen Sebelius said today.

Sebelius signed two bills enhancing higher education in Kansas.  One deals with deferred maintenance at the state’s colleges and universities, while the other improves Kansas’ technical education system. 

“Our state’s long-term prosperity depends on having a workforce that is skilled and able to be successful in the global marketplace.  We have to make the same commitments to first-class higher education that we’ve made to our K-12 schools,” Sebelius said.

HB 2237 requires the state to make annual transfers to the Board of Regents to fund deferred maintenance projects at state universities beginning in FY 2008. The transfers will total $90 million, including $47 million from the State General Fund.  It also authorizes $100 million in bonds for Washburn University, community colleges and technical colleges.

“This is a good first step, but it’s only a first step.  We still have critical needs at our Regents universities and at other state buildings, and they won’t be addressed in this one action,” Sebelius said.  “I plan on revisiting this issue with legislators when they return next year.”

The bill also provides new tax credits for tax years 2008-2012 for contributions earmarked for deferred maintenance at post-secondary educational institutions and certain capital improvements at community colleges, as well as contributions earmarked for deferred maintenance and certain technology or equipment at technical colleges.

Sebelius also approved changes to the way Kansas’ technical colleges are organized.

“Every student should continue his or her education beyond high school, but a four-year college may not be the best option for students wishing to enter certain industries.  They’ll be well-served by one of our state’s outstanding technical institutions, which is why we want to ensure those schools are ready to serve today’s students,” she said.

HB 2556 creates the Postsecondary Technical Education Authority, which would coordinate the state’s technical education programs to ensure students are receiving the education they need and the schools are operating in an efficient and effective manner.

It also establishes the Kansas Technical College and Technical School Commission to study and conduct hearings on the governance, funding, and mission of Kansas technical colleges and technical schools.

These two bills were among five signed today, with SB 166 having been signed this morning. The total number of bills signed by Sebelius during the 2007 Legislative Session is now 199, while four bills and one budget item have been vetoed.

Supporting efforts to reduce parole violations

SB 14 enacts a new grant program to encourage community corrections programs to reduce parole revocation rates by at least 20 percent. This bill grants eligible inmates the ability to earn 60 days of good-time credit on a one-time basis upon program completion. Additionally, this bill provides for good-time credits for inmates convicted of a drug severity level 3 or 4 crime or a non-drug severity level 7 through 10 crime to be increased from the current 15 percent to 20 percent. SB 14 allows the Kansas Department of Corrections to grant financial aid to counties to defray all or part of the expenses of corrections advisory board members in carrying out official duties. Finally, this bill grants the Secretary of Corrections the authority to disburse a reasonable amount of money earned by an inmate to pay restitution, costs, fines, and fees.

Election reforms

HB 2128 makes a number of changes to state election law:

• It revises the formula to determine whether a write-in candidate’s name is printed on the general election ballot after a primary election.  It now requires a write-in candidate to receive votes in the primary election equal to 5 percent of the current voter registration in the state, county or district in which the office is sought.
• It requires the written appointment of an authorized poll agent to be filed with the county election officer and clarifies that a copy of the appointment is to be carried with the poll agent while on duty.  It also establishes qualifications for authorized poll agents.   
• It requires that a publication or broadcast that “expressly advocates the nomination, election or defeat of any candidate” must be followed by the words or statement “advertisement” or “adv” or it will be considered corrupt political advertising.  
• Finally, it classifies the crime of advance voting suppression as a level 9, nonperson felony.

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