“State Board of Education member Janet Waugh expressed concern about the possibility of cuts in education ahead of a Wednesday meeting of the board where she expects some discussion of the state’s fiscal situation.’We just don’t have (anything) frivolous anymore. We’re down to the bare bones,’ Waugh said of Kansas schools. “Board member Carolyn Wims-Campbell also feared cuts. ‘I’m afraid they’ll look at us again for another cut since the predictions are so sad for the state of Kansas. I guess we just have to wait and see what our legislators will be able to accomplish,’ Wims-Campbell said.”...
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Kansas Budget blog reports sad situation for KS advocates
“Here’s the saddest part: Everyone is now on defense. Advocates for public education, higher education, human service programs, public safety, and highways will all be working hard to defend what they have. “All of the state’s political energy will go toward figuring out how to constrict and pull back. No one will be thinking about things like offering a world-class education to Kansas students or otherwise investing in the state’s future.” http://www.kansasbudget.com/2014/11/now-its-official-kansas-budget-is.html...
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Leave a Comment Budget reality emerges after election
“During this past election, Gov. Sam Brownback told Kansans that job growth would prevent budget shortfalls. “’The sun is shining in Kansas and don’t let anybody tell you any different,’ he said in one campaign commercial. “His budget and tax officials downplayed growing revenue shortfalls, arguing that spending cuts wouldn’t be needed in the current fiscal year and that “efficiencies will take care of shortfalls next year.” “Yet less than a week after the election, new official revenue estimates exposed the ugly truth: The state needs to cut at least $280 million in planned spending before next July,...
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Leave a Comment Legislative leaders claim spending problem and blame national policy
The legislature is looking at making $279 million from this year’s budget before June 30, but legislative leadership is saying we have a spending problem not a revenue problem and blaming the national economy. “Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, blamed the projected shortfall on economic uncertainty nationwide… “For his part, House Speaker Ray Merrick, R-Stilwell, has been unwilling to budge on the income tax cuts. “‘The new revenue estimates only highlight the continuing need to protect core services while streamlining state government,’ Merrick said in a statement. ‘We do not have a revenue problem, we have a spending...
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