By John Milburn, Associated Press, May 11, 2011
TOPEKA, Kan. -- Negotiations over the 2012 Kansas budget stalled early Wednesday over concerns about how much lawmakers will have left over in savings in the proposed $14 billion package as a cushion for future years.
Three members each from the House and Senate met throughout the day Tuesday and agreed on a number of items on the budget, which covers government operations beginning July 1. However, progress stalled after a final Senate offer turned out to have a smaller ending balance than previously thought.
Senators believed their package would match a House stipulation that the budget produce $50 million in savings. But double-checking the figures revealed the package is $20 million short.
House negotiators agreed to resume talks Wednesday morning to find areas to make up the difference and bring the session to a close.
The House is insisting on the $50 million in savings even as the state faces a projected shortfall. The budget is likely to cut overall state spending between 5 percent and 6 percent. Schools would take the biggest hit, but almost every state agency would see some spending cuts.
Legislators need a budget agreement to bring the 2011 session to a close by Thursday, the 90th of 90 days scheduled. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Marc Rhoades said it appeared the session would last at least until Friday.
"I think we're close," said Rhoades, a Newton Republican.
Rhoads said any budget that had less than $50 million left over would be difficult to get through the House. Senators have been willing to sacrifice that cushion to lessen cuts to education and social services.
"Are we trying to get a budget number or is this about cuts?" said Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairwoman Carolyn McGinn, a Sedgwick Republican. "I'm concerned we have a huge ending balance and people back home might ask about the cuts."
Much of the total reductions in the 2012 budget, between $770 million and $870 million, will reflect the disappearance of federal economic stimulus funds.
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.
Brownback and his staff met with the leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature throughout the day to help broker a deal. He said he realized it was a difficult process but was hopeful a resolution was in the offing.
"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. "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."