TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Governor Sam Brownback doesn't plan to be on hand when his administration outlines $50 million in spending cuts to help the state avert a budget deficit. Instead, he'll be on vacation. Brownback's spokeswoman, Eileen Hawley, has confirmed that the governor won't be present when state budget director Shawn Sullivan outlines the budget cuts during a news conference set for Friday. Hawley declined to discuss the governor's planned whereabouts. Kansas Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka called Brownback's not being present "a cowardly way out." GOP legislators counted on Brownback's administration making the cuts under a plan to balance the state's $15.4 billion budget that also increased sales and cigarette taxes this month. The state's budget problems arose after lawmakers cut income taxes in 2012 and 2013 at Brownback's urging to stimulate the economy.
