Hays, KS – Amid rumors of massive statewide furloughs, President Mirta Martin addressed Fort Hays State University (FHSU) employees in an open letter dated Friday, 6-5-2015 at 8:44am. Voicing concern the Kansas legislature would fail to pass a budget in time to fund operations, and bracing FHSU employees of the possibility of having their employment cut back to “day-to-day call-back” status, Dr. Martin issued an ominous “heads up.” The letter (see below for full text) voiced grave concern but also sounded a note of optimism that our legislators would, “…end the impasse by passing a budget that will keep the state’s economy moving forward.”
News from Topeka, however is not encouraging. Governor Sam Brownback’s income tax experiment has not rendered anticipated results. There is a massive hole in the state budget, and a promised surge of jobs has yet to materialize. In a quick-step effort to fill the hole, Brownback proposed to hike the sales tax of millions of Kansans, but in a giant step backward stood firm on policies allowing thousands of businesses to keep their tax breaks.
Governor Brownback, however, is not alone in the beleaguered “supply-side” cause. An editorial in the Kansas City Star identified Johnson County lawmaker Sen. Greg Smith, an Overland Park Republican as serving a, “…leading role in creating the nationally embarrassing mess in the Kansas Legislature.” In a Sunday night move he helped push, “…a bill to end tax exemptions for nonprofit hospitals, schools, scouting groups and other organizations,” citing his bona fides as a true, “Sunflower State conservative.”
“Taxes are wrong. Taxes are legalized theft,” Smith said. Never mind Smith has made a living in “public sector” trades.
Meanwhile, FHSU President, Dr. Mirta Martin is left with the ugly task of comforting scores of families, some of whom, “…have both incomes derived from our university.” Not to mention student workers who, “…depend on the income derived from their summer work.”
Dr. Martin’s address closes with an expression of faith and optimism that, “…the best is yet to be…” But with the deadline in Topeka looming, Dr. Martin can only offer the hope of a miracle.
“I believe in miracles,” she said. “Let’s pray together for one now.”
Dear All,
I wish I could start by saying “I hope this note finds you well,” but I can’t because I know this note will find you concerned and anxious as a result of the possible furloughs. While I am also very concerned and anxious, I remain hopeful that our legislators will end the impasse by passing a budget that will keep the state’s economy moving forward.
You are the key to our state’s future; you are the key to moving Kansas forward. Each of you has an incredible impact on our university and on our state. Your dedication, compassion, commitment to each other, to our students, and to the Fort Hays State University family is second to none. I want each of you to know how much I acknowledge, admire and respect who you are and what you do.
No university president ever wishes to have to notify its family that there may be possible furloughs coming. But given the state of affairs in Kansas, I have no choice but to alert you to this possibility. I know many of you are committed to our mission and have made Fort Hays State your home. Many of you have both incomes derived from our university. Many of our students depend on the income derived from their summer work at our University to put food on the table and to meet their academic tuition obligations for the coming year. I am all too aware of this and thus, it is so disheartening to have to make the choices that have to be made.
If the Legislature does not pass a budget by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, Fort Hays State, just like every other state agency, will have to cease normal operations and designate just a skeleton crew to continue the mandated close-of-year reports and to meet our contractual obligations. If we are furloughed, beginning 12:01 a.m. Sunday, we may not transact business on behalf of our University. Depending on the day-to-day needs, each of us will be on a day-to-day call-back notice.
Notices will go out later today providing details about the furloughs and telling you where to look for changes in the status of the situation.
News like this is not easy to deliver. I am so sorry to have to be writing this note. Regardless of the outcome of the next days’ legislative activities, I want to continue to thank you for what you do, and I want to remind you how critically important you are to the future of Fort Hays State University. I am so grateful for all your support.
The bonds of family survive in times of trouble and anguish. A family sticks together for better and for worse. Together, our family will survive the ups and downs that are thrown our way.
You all know I have great faith in you. I also believe the best is yet to be and I believe in miracles. Let’s pray together for one now.
Thank you for everything,
M3
Mirta M. Martin, Ph.D.
President
Fort Hays State University