A few select issues are all that stand between budget negotiators and a spending plan for next fiscal year. One of the contentious issues is funding for the judicial branch. Senate negotiators want to limit a funding cut, because the courts will need the money to help implement a new on-line filing system. Senator John Vratil, a Leawood republican, is one of the Senate negotiators. He says the new system would help save money, by making court filing more efficient.
Lawmakers also can’t agree on funding for KAN-ED, a program that helps pay for high-speed internet service for more than 400 facilities. That includes schools, libraries and hospitals. Legislators hope to have a final agreement later today (WED).