Flint Hills Technical College President Dr. Caron Daugherty says the institution has several priorities in sight with the 2022 legislative session now underway.
During the most recent installment of Tech Talk, President Daugherty stated that she has had several productive conversations with local lawmakers in the weeks leading up to the legislative session which began this week. Daugherty says the college’s main goal is to continue highlighting not only the success of their students but also the significant economic impacts that institutions such as FHTC have on the local region.
To accomplish this goal, Daugherty says there are four main legislative priorities for the college this year. Those goals are continued funding for excellence in career technical education.
Daugherty says their additional priorities include a closer look at the “recentering model” in regards to state funding, increased appropriations for capital outlay within technical colleges and the possibility of continued “Maintenance of Effort Funding” which was issued as a one-time funding source through the CARES Act. Daugherty says she understands that continuation of MOE funding may not be possible, however, it did provide several benefits to the college including assistance to the college’s computer-based programs.
As far as capital outlay is concerned, Daugherty says she has drafted a list of potential projects and an estimated cost of just over $3.5 million and submitted those documents to local lawmakers at their request.
The 2022 Legislative session began Monday and traditionally concludes in early May.