For Immediate Release:                                                                                   

April 18, 2007                  

Contact:                                                                    

Rep. Sharon Schwartz 785/296-7637                                                                                                                 

Rep. Lee Tafanelli 785/296-7639

HOUSE LAYS OUT DEFERRED MAINTENANCE PLAN

Topeka – Kansas House of Representatives Appropriations Committee Chairman Sharon Schwartz (R-Washington) and Vice-Chairman Lee Tafanelli (R-Ozawkie) announced today the House plan to resolve the deferred maintenance issue at Kansas universities and community colleges.

“I am very pleased we have developed a long-term solution that doesn’t rely on one source of funding and will ensure our universities and communities colleges are able to provide safe learning environments for Kansas students,” Chairman Schwartz said.  “Our plan also establishes a board to oversee and implement the deferred maintenance projects; and make sure Kansas tax dollars are used wisely.”

In addition to establishing the Regents Deferred Maintenance Oversight Board, the House Deferred Maintenance Plan includes:

• Repaying the Crumbling Classroom Bonds to free-up $15 million/yr. in Educational Building Fund
• Allowing counties with Regents institutions to impose a 0.10 cent sales tax
• Allowing Sedgwick County to use part of the sale tax increase to apply to local property relief
• Prepaying $20 million in Regents Research Bonds and shifting $10 million in funding to deferred maintenance
• Establishing the Technology Upgrade Matching Fund that allows schools one project for dollar for dollar match
• Providing $300 million in Low Interest Revolving Loan program for universities and community colleges
• Requiring schools retire unnecessary and obsolete buildings
• Requiring schools identify funding for future maintenance and operations of new buildings built with non-state funds
• Dedicating interest collected from tuition and restricted fees to deferred maintenance support fund

Vice-Chairman Tafanelli said the House plan will provide Regents schools more than $152 million in Fiscal Year 2008.

“Our goal was to make sure we addressed the serious issue of maintaining our universities and community colleges in a fiscally responsible manner,” Rep. Tafanelli said.  “While the state does provide for a majority of the funding, our plan also partners with Regents schools and Regents communities for some of the responsibilities.”

Schwartz and Tafanelli met with Regents Board Chairman Nelson Galle, Board Member Christine Downey-Schmidt, and Regents President and CEO Reginald Robinson this morning to review the plan. 

“I believe the Board of Regents appreciates our determination to put together a fair plan that seeks to keep our students safe as they study and develop a framework for long-term budget planning,” Schwartz said.

House Speaker Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) commended Reps. Schwartz and Tafanelli and the House Appropriations Committee for their leadership and perseverance to find a long-term funding solution for maintenance of Kansas universities and community colleges.

“I am pleased we are moving forward with a plan that addresses both short and long term concerns,” Speaker Neufeld said.  “I am confident we will finalize the deferred maintenance issue next week when the Legislature returns to wrap-up the session.”

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