Sebelius, Barnett spar over tuition, higher ed

Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius promised Wednesday that higher education would be a top priority if she is elected to a second term, but Republican challenger Jim Barnett blamed her for rising tuition costs.

Barnett said the state hasn't been able to provide enough tax dollars to its universities and community and vocational colleges because its economy hasn't grown enough. He added that State Board of Regents' institutions face more years of stagnant state aid because of how Sebelius has managed state finances.

But Sebelius dismissed Barnett's prediction, accusing him of painting a "gloom-and-doom" picture of the state's economy. She also noted that during her first term, the state has phased in a $112 million increase in spending on higher education.

The two candidates also differed on stem cell research, with Barnett suggesting the state needed to be cautious in supporting new work to avoid promoting human cloning and Sebelius saying the state should help research accelerate. They also staked out different positions on how far the state should go to prevent local governments from taking private property for economic development.

Barnett has repeatedly challenged Sebelius' assessment of the Kansas economy as robust, suggesting it's in fact sluggish and needs to be stimulated through tax cuts. During Wednesday's debate, he tied his arguments to concerns about rising tuition rates.

In-state tuition at state universities has increased every year since 1999, doubling at the University of Kansas, and regents have complained about a lack of state funding. Fifteen years ago, state funds covered nearly half the universities' operating costs; the figure now is 29 percent.

"This is what happens when we as an economy in this state continue to lag behind our neighbors and the entire nation," Barnett said.

The two candidates answered questions for an audience of about 200 people. Their debate at a movie theater in the Legends shopping district near the Kansas Speedway was sponsored by Kansas City-area chambers of commerce.

Sebelius acknowledged the budget debate during her first term has focused on increasing aid to elementary, middle and high schools, but said that's largely because of a recently resolved lawsuit over funding. She dismissed Barnett's suggestion that higher education spending is destined to remain frozen.

In fiscal 2003, the state allocated $670 million in general tax dollars to higher education as it still weathered the economic effects of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Under the current budget, higher education will receive $782 million, or nearly 17 percent more.

"I have no idea what the senator is talking about in terms of a freeze," she said. "Higher education has to be high on our radar screen, and it's something that will certainly be a part of my next four years."

Barnett questioned whether the state could afford such a commitment after enacting a plan to phase in a $541 million increase in aid to K-12 schools over three years. When legislators approved the plan, projections showed it would create a budget shortfall by 2009, though the picture has brightened with better-than-anticipated revenue collections since.

"We need someone with some long-term vision and planning, who can actually produce a budget that is realistic and grow this state's economy, so we have enough money to hold down tuition rates," he said.

Sebelius chided Barnett for his pessimism.

"I am so optimistic in the state's possibilities and the incredible ingenuity of our people and where we have come in the last four years," she said. "I guess that's the biggest difference: an optimistic outlook versus kind of a gloom-and-doom theory."

The two candidates also faced questions on how they felt about stem cell research and whether, if they were in Missouri, they would vote for an initiative that would protect all federally allowed stem cell research, including that involving embryonic stem cells.

Barnett said he wouldn't, arguing the Missouri proposal isn't clear about what constitutes human cloning.

"Kansas should proceed cautiously and ultimately realize that cloning is not something that we should advance," Barnett said.

At issue is somatic cell nuclear transfer, or therapeutic cloning, a technique involving replacing the nucleus of an unfertilized egg with the nucleus of a skin or nerve cell. After the egg is stimulated to grow in a lab dish, researchers remove the resulting stem cells.

Sebelius said Kansans agree that reproductive cloning of humans should be banned, but she would support the Missouri proposal if she were a voter there.

"It's really important that we allow the scientists to move not at a cautious pace but at an accelerated pace," she said.

Meanwhile, protecting property rights remains an issue, despite approval this year of legislation restricting local governments' ability to take private property and turn it over to others for economic development. After July 1, 2007, such actions must be approved by the Legislature.

Though she saw the bill as a positive step and signed it, Sebelius expressed misgivings.

"What's happened is the state Senate has been now relegated to being a planning commission," Sebelius said.

Barnett said he believes property rights should be protected with an amendment to the Kansas Constitution.

"My strong suspicion is that that law will continue to be revisited, will need to continue to be revisited, and I suspect that further change will occur," Barnett said.

On the Net:

Sebelius campaign: http://www.ksgovernor.com

Barnett campaign: http://www.barnettforgovernor.com