“Not only did the administration misrepresent the immediate impact of the CIF sweep, it appears they maneuvered circumstances to create the appearance of excess funds. In the months prior to last week’s CIF cut, Brownback administration officials requested CIF grantees transition their grant cycle from calendar years to fiscal years. The change left the appearance of surplus funds, but the dollars had already been allocated. It now appears the calendar transition was organized by design – specifically for the purpose of sweeping extra funds later in the fiscal year. By changing the grant cycles after the Legislature passed the budget for 2016-17, CIF funds were left temporarily unencumbered, and open to the Governor’s sweep.
“’The Governor’s fancy accounting tricks don’t dull the impact of these sweeps on Kansas children and families,’ said Kansas Action for Children President and CEO Shannon Cotsoradis. ‘These programs produce some of the most impressive early childhood outcomes in Kansas, and they are being sacrificed for a failing tax plan that has spiraled out of control.’”