Kansas House and Senate negotiators have reached a compromise to balance the current year’s budget without cuts to state services. They have been facing a shortfall for the budget year ending in June of nearly $300 million.
The budget agreement would delay a payment into the Kansas pension plan, KPERS. It would also borrow some money from a state investment fund.
The top budget writer in the Senate, Republican Carolyn McGinn, says they still have to make tough decisions on school funding and taxes for the coming two years. Getting the 2017 budget squared away will provide a solid footing for that work.
“We have that foundation to where we can build ’18 and ’19 and start providing a little bit of a vision for Kansas citizens,” says McGinn.
The budget agreement will still need a final vote in both chambers before being sent to Governor Sam Brownback for consideration.
Stephen Koranda reports: