Kansas is only three months into a new fiscal year and already tax collections have come in below estimates in each of the three months. In both August and September, the state missed the mark by more than $30 million.
Annie McKay studies the economy with the Kansas Center for Economic Growth. She says in other years, those revenue shortfalls wouldn’t be a major concern. But this year, Kansas officials were predicting a reserve fund of less than $100 million.
“If we have a couple more months like this, we’re going to be right back where we were a year ago, which was looking at mid-year budget cuts,” says McKay.
Kansas Revenue Secretary Nick Jordan blames the shortfall last month on drops in farm income and the oil and gas industry.
Governor Sam Brownback has the authority to make cuts if needed to keep the budget balanced. A group of state officials and economists will meet next month to update the state’s revenue estimates.