Members of the Kansas House and Senate met briefly today (WED) to officially end the 2011 legislative session. Some House lawmakers made a last-ditch effort to save funding for the Kansas Arts Commission, which has been vetoed by Governor Sam Brownback. House members tried to override Brownback’s veto. Ann Mah, a Democrat from Topeka, said cutting the Arts Commission would cost the state jobs and hurt arts opportunities in rural areas.
House members fell short of the two-thirds vote needed to overturn the veto. Governor Brownback has said cutting the Arts Commission will save money and streamline state government. Lawmakers wrapped up the budget and other legislative business last month.