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Committee holds $21.5 million for K‑State Extension pending reorganization plan, citing whistleblower concerns
Summary
The committee voted to delete $21.5 million from Cooperative Extension Services for FY27 and place the funds in State Finance Council escrow pending certification of a reorganization plan; members debated whistleblower reports, post‑audit requests and the impact on outreach and 4‑H.
The Committee on Higher Education Budget voted to place $21.5 million in FY27 funding for Kansas State University’s Cooperative Extension Services in escrow pending certification of a reorganization plan to modernize extension activities.
Chair opened an extended discussion criticizing Extension’s current outreach model and citing multiple whistleblower accounts that, he said, showed the program had "lost its way." He proposed deleting the $21.5 million in the Cooperative Extension Services line and transferring that amount to the State Finance Council pending approval of a new plan; proviso language was added to preserve 4‑H funding in 2027.
Members expressed concerns. Representative Haskins asked what evidence supported the conclusion Extension was failing and urged the committee to share specifics or pursue a post audit; Haskins said stakeholders and the dean had described functioning efforts. Representative Fairchild suggested that bonding authority or other mechanisms might be used to advance facility needs. Representative Sawyer asked whether the committee would permit reallocation of some funds to agricultural research if Extension’s new model so required. Chair and staff said the State Finance Council would evaluate the plan and that the approach is intentionally flexible to let leadership design remedies.
The chair said the move is not intended to remove funding permanently but to hold funds "in escrow" until the governor’s State Finance Council certifies a modernization plan. After debate, members voted and the motion to place the $21.5 million in escrow passed by voice vote. The committee then approved advancing the Extension Systems and Agricultural Research budget for FY26‑27 as amended.
The transcript records multiple calls for data and audit; some members asked for a post audit or clearer performance metrics to help guide reforms. Chair indicated he would share details offline to avoid exposing whistleblowers publicly.
