Ty Masterson’s Taxpayer-Funded Dual Salaries – A Clear Conflict of Interest at Wichita State University
Ty Masterson, the powerful President of the Kansas Senate and a candidate for Governor, draws significant taxpayer compensation from two public sources while wielding immense legislative influence over higher education funding.
Public payroll records show he received approximately $135,000 as Director of GoCreate at Wichita State University in 2023, with 2024 figures listed at $155,250. Legislative Research has referenced the director position salary as high as $228,800.
As Senate President, he also receives approximately $85,000 in legislative salary (plus per diems and allowances) following recent pay increases for Kansas lawmakers.
WSU is a public state university that depends heavily on funding approved by the Kansas Legislature, with the Board of Regents playing a central oversight role. Yet Ty Masterson holds this high-paying leadership position at the institution his legislative role helps fund.
And he has no college degree. He attended Kansas State University, but public bios do not list a completed degree. Most university leadership and director-level positions require at least a Master’s.
Masterson takes unpaid leave from the WSU role during legislative sessions (typically January–April), which reduces his actual take-home from GoCreate. Even with that adjustment, the arrangement raises serious questions. Critics, including Democratic Sen. Patrick Schmidt, have argued the position isn’t being fully performed and pushed (unsuccessfully) to defund it while Masterson serves in top legislative leadership.
The word around campus has long been that Masterson rarely shows up. So here’s the obvious question: Why would a state university provide a high-paying position with minimal apparent oversight to a sitting Senate President who lacks traditional academic qualifications — unless it’s political insurance to help secure and protect WSU’s state funding?
For Kansas taxpayers, this looks like a sweetheart deal that carries the strong odor of a conflict of interest. Masterson is effectively on both sides of the funding table.
Kansans deserve better than entrenched insider arrangements that blur the lines between legislative power and public university administration. Transparency and accountability should come first.
When you vote for the next Governor of Kansas, choose integrity over the status quo. Vote for Philip Sarnecki For Governor!
Henry McClure Topeka, Kansas MCRE, LLC
