IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEB. 8, 2007

CONTACT:
Rep. Pat George
785/296-7646
george@house.state.ks.us

Topeka – Rep. Pat George (R-Dodge City) introduced legislation this week in the House Appropriation Committee that would equalize funding for Kansas community colleges that have merged with vocational institutions.

“Dodge City Community College as well as Pratt and Cowley County Community Colleges have been treated unfairly for many years,” explained Rep. George.  “They provide the same learning opportunities other community colleges provide in the area of vocational technical education but receive less than a third of the amount of funding.  Our wish is that all community colleges with vo-tech programs are treated equally.”

A 1992 law (SB 485) provides that a community college which merges with a technical institution may receive funding through Postsecondary aid for Technical Education for student credit hours that are applied to toward technical aid.  However, Dodge City, Pratt and Cowley merged their programs prior to passage of the 1992 legislation and were not grandfathered in to receive the technical education funding.  Rep. George said his bill would authorize the inclusion of the three schools.

Rep. Mitch Holmes (R-St. John) said Dodge City, Pratt and Cowley should have been grandfathered in with the passage of SB 485 in 1992 but instead were punished for being progressive in educating their students. 

“The result was that the schools that were forward-thinking got left behind.  This bill will equalize the funding for technical programs provided at various community colleges in Kansas.  It will be a significant benefit for Pratt Community College,” said Rep. Holmes.

Speaker Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) and Minority Leader Dennis McKinney (D-Greensburg) said they support Rep. George’s proposal because it helps meet the needs of students and Kansas businesses alike.

“I believe community colleges and vocational schools should offer vocational training and workforce development programs that meet the ongoing needs of the Kansas business community and ensure efficient use of state and local resources,” said Speaker Neufeld. “It’s important that our community colleges that provide those needed education programs have access to the necessary funding.”

Minority Leader McKinney went on to say, “Our economy is sending strong signals that we must provide more vocational education.  This proposal moves us in the right direction and will benefit many students and Kansas employers.”

Rep. Kasha Kelley (R-Arkansas City) said the proposal is the responsible thing to do.

“Rep. George has correctly defined and sought to address an issue of increasingly critical importance to our community colleges.  I wholeheartedly support this responsible and overdue direction of funds,” Rep. Kelley said.

Sen. Tim Huelskamp (R-Fowler) also pledged his support for Rep. George’s bill.

“This is an issue of equity, particularly for our students.  We deserve equal funding for equal

Training,” Sen. Huelskamp said.

Rep. George said he will work closely with lawmakers who represent the affected community colleges to move his proposal forward.

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