By John Milburn, Associated Press, May 10, 2011
TOPEKA, Kan. -- Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback said Tuesday that he met with legislative leaders to give them a framework for solving the 2012 state budget and end the session.
The Republican governor declined to say how much he would agree to in an ending balance, but hoped his suggestions would help negotiators finish their work on a $14 billion budget
"I put a global proposal out to help solve the various issues for the House and in particular the Senate on spending," Brownback said in a brief interview Tuesday. "I think everybody is seeing the end game. "Legislative sessions are a lot easier to start then they are to finish. We'll see how they respond."
The talk seemed to help Tuesday as House Republicans backed away from some long-held positions on education funding and other issues.
Three House members and three senators resumed their talks on the spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The negotiations had stalled over House Republicans' demand that the next budget leave at least $50 million in cash reserves at the end of June 2012.
Both chambers are controlled by Republicans, but their leaders have disagreed over the importance of building up the state's cash reserves. House GOP leaders insist it's vital, in case the state's revenues don't meet expectations later this year, but Senate Republican leaders are willing to sacrifice the cushion to soften spending cuts.
During Tuesday's talks, House Republicans moved away from their position in favor of cutting general aid to the state's 289 public school districts by $250 per student, or 6.2 percent. They embraced Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's position, a cut of $232 per student. The Senate had approved a $226-per-student cut, hoping to keep the reduction as small as possible, though under any of the scenarios, local boards of education are likely to consider laying off teachers and other employees before summer.
"I've seen some very good movement," said lead Senate negotiator Carolyn McGinn, a Sedgwick Republican and chairwoman of her chamber's Ways and Means Committee. "I'm glad to see the wheels are turning again."
Senators had grown so frustrated with the slow pace of the budget negotiations that, between rounds of talks Monday, McGinn's committee endorsed a new spending plan for state government as an alternative to continuing discussions with the House. However, that plan would have left cash reserves of at least $29 million, suggesting some willingness to compromise behind the show of frustration.
Lead House negotiator Marc Rhoades, a Newton Republican and chairman of his chamber's Appropriations Committee said it was a hopeful enough sign for his team to consider concessions.
"We could offer, globally, all those other things," Rhoades said. "I'm hopeful."
House negotiators also said they're willing to give up on a proposed $5.5 million cut in state aid to Washburn University of Topeka, half of its total; and end to $5 million in subsidies for airlines providing service from Wichita's airport, and the elimination of nearly $1.5 million in operating grants for public broadcasting stations.
The next budget is likely to cut overall state spending between 5 percent and 6 percent to close a projected shortfall. Much of the total reductions, between $770 million and $870 million, will reflect the disappearance of federal economic stimulus funds.
Legislators can't wrap up their business for the year until the negotiators agree on the budget and each chamber approves the compromise. Tuesday was the 88th day of their annual session, with 90 days scheduled.
The state constitution specifies 90-day annual sessions, but it's not an absolute limit, so legislators can - and often have - exceeded it. But legislators must vote to extend their time at the Statehouse and consider forgoing their daily salary and expense payments to avoid creating additional budget headaches.