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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new budget proposal from Kansas legislators could force the University of Kansas to raise private funds to pay off construction bonds issued out-of-state.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee added the measure Monday to a bill for balancing the state budget through June 2017.
The provision would bar the university for two years from using state dollars or student fee funds to pay off the $327 million in bonds issued last month for construction projects.
The university formed a nonprofit corporation which then had Wisconsin's Public Finance Authority issue the bonds. University officials contend they complied with Kansas law.
Republican Sen. Tom Arpke of Salina said lawmakers have had no oversight. He drafted the measure.
Democratic Sen. Laura Kelly of Topeka called Arpke's proposal an attack on the university.
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