Kansas House, Senate leaders negotiate tentative budget proposal - BRENT D. WISTROM

State colleges would face a 3 percent budget cut over two years, but the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita would be insulated from the reductions under a proposal House and Senate negotiators tentatively agreed to Tuesday. Reduced funding for higher education was at the core of a disagreement between House Republicans, who had pushed for a 4 percent cut, and the Senate, which backed a 2 percent cut. Gov. Sam Brownback, meanwhile, had flown around the state to visit universities and advocate for flat funding. “We’re concerned about the direction higher ed is going in terms of the cost, in terms of the increased tuition costs that we keep getting handed to our kids,” said Rep. Marc Rhoades, R-Newton. Big paychecks for coaches, specialized professors and infrastructure are chief concerns, he said, noting he would like to see more innovation in online education and fewer new buildings on campuses. http://www.kansas.com/2013/05/21/2812610/house-senate-reach-tentative-budget.html