Governor and Lt. Gov. met by protesters in Hays (VIDEO)

sam sternberg — KS Gov. Sam Brownback acknowledges protesters outside Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays Wednesday afternoon.

By BECKY KISER AND NICK BUDD
Hays Post

Governor Sam Brownback and Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer were met by protesters in Hays Wednesday afternoon prior to two media appearances.

About a dozen people wearing red National Education Association t-shirts in support of teachers stood by silently with protest signs as Brownback entered Sternberg Museum for a ceremonial bill signing:

Brownback was also scheduled at Fort Hays State University for a news conference about education funding. His airplane pilot made the decision to return to Topeka early because of threatening weather.

colyer teachers — Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer (right) passes by a group at FHSU Sheridan Hall protesting the school funding bill.

A larger group of protesters was in front of Sheridan Hall as Colyer entered the building without Brownback. The president of the Hays NEA group, Kim Schneweis, explained their concerns:

Lieutenant governor Colyer supports the legislature’s compromise school funding bill which governor Brownback signed Monday:

Brownback and Colyer were accompanied by area GOP legislators: Rep. Sue Boldra-Hays, Rep. Travis Couture-Lovelady-Palco, Rep. Done Hineman-Dighton, and Sen. Ralph Ostmeyer.

Couture-Lovelady and Ostmeyer voted in favor of the school funding bill; Boldra and Hineman voted against it.