You can’t always get what you want, but as Mick Jagger and the Kansas Board of Regents will tell you, sometimes, you get what you need.

Despite not receiving the $47.1 million increase for higher education they asked for, KBOR released a statement last week supporting Gov. Sam Brownback’s proposed budget for 2014-2015.

The statement, made by Tim Emert, regents chair, on Jan. 16, said the regents appreciated Brownback’s recognition of the importance of higher education and its value to the economic success of the state. It also said that all 32 higher education institutions would continue to provide the “high quality educational opportunities necessary to meet the dynamic needs of the Kansas economy.”

“Unless something has changed dramatically that I’m not aware of, costs continue,” said President Michael Shonrock. “There’s always an increase in cost for the things of life…when there are choices to be made in life, I’d rather know I have a consistent budget, so the fact that the governor has provided base funding for the next two years is really a good way for us to plan (ahead).”

The increase KBOR asked for included a 1 percent raise in pay across the board for higher education employees. While the specific increase was not granted, Brownback did approve proposed plans to expand the University of Kansas Medical Center. Also proposed were increases to Kansas State’s architecture program and Pittsburg State’s engineering program.

Shonrock said he is pleased by the program enhancements that were proposed, as well as the change to a two year budget plan. He also said that with 40 percent of the state legislature being newly elected, this provided the opportunity for higher education to bring itself to the forefront of people’s minds.

Brooke Schmidt, Associated Student Government president and senior Spanish major, said she was also in support of the proposed budget.

“Overall, I am pleased with the governor’s proposed budget for both fiscal year ‘14 and fiscal year ’15,” Schmidt said. “The governor’s budget seems to acknowledge the importance of higher education. According to the proposal, there are no cuts to higher education over the next two years. As a student, this is great news to hear.”

Schmidt also said that while she would like to see funding increased, Brownback’s budget did show recognition of the significant and positive impact higher education has on the state.

The state legislature meets again at 11 a.m. today for the House.