state budget

Legislature Prepares For Budget Meetings

Stephen Koranda — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:44:20 +0000

Kansas House and Senate negotiators have delayed the start of talks aimed at smoothing out differences between the budgets passed in each chamber.

The meeting originally scheduled for early Monday afternoon was canceled because the Senate had not yet officially appointed that chamber's three negotiators.

Kan. House, Senate Ready To Negotiate Budget Differences

Stephen Koranda — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:42:59 +0000

The Kansas House and Senate have passed their versions of both budget and tax plans, but there's still plenty of work ahead. The two chambers will now try to smooth out differences between the plans.

Conference committees made up of three members from each chamber will work to find a compromise between the different bills. Both chambers will then consider the compromise legislation.

Top Morning News 3.22.13

Briana O’Higgins and Kate Clause — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:43:33 +0000

Senate approves $14B budget; Bill would allow open carry anywhere in Kansas; Committee authorizes bonds to pay KPERS debt.

Kansas Senate Approves $14B Budget

The Kansas Senate has given final approval to a $14 billion budget for the next fiscal year.

Thursday's 24-16 vote sends the measure to the House, which approved its own budget bill Wednesday. Negotiators from the two chambers are expected to begin meeting next week to work out a final version.

Kansas House Advances Cuts In Sales, Income Taxes

Associated Press — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:29:47 +0000

The Kansas House has given first-round approval to a bill cutting sales and income taxes after rejecting a diversion of highway funds to stabilize the budget.

The bill advanced Wednesday on an 82-37 vote, suggesting it has enough support to pass on final action, which is expected Thursday.

The legislation follows up on personal income tax cuts enacted last year by promising income tax rate reductions each year that overall state revenues grow more than 2 percent.

Also, the bill allows the state sales tax to decline as scheduled in July.

Top Morning News 3.13.2013

Briana O’Higgins — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:50:25 +0000

Lawmakers hold private meeting, AP protests; Advance ballots ready to go out; US Air Force defends light air support plane contract.

Republican Lawmakers Hold Private Meeting On Taxes

Kansas Senate Republicans held a private meeting on tax issues Tuesday, ahead of debate on Gov. Sam Brownback's plan to move the state toward phasing out individual income taxes.

Kan. House Committee Looks To Make Cuts In Budget

Stephen Koranda — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:52:45 +0000

A Kansas House committee is crafting that chamber's version of the state budget, and more cuts are on the table. The committee is looking at a series of spending cut proposals requested by Gov. Sam Brownback last summer.

The Brownback administration requested state agencies prepare contingency plans and submit proposals for what they would do if the budget needed a 10 percent cut. Now, some members of the House Appropriations Committee are looking through those proposals for ideas to reduce spending.

Top Morning News 3.12.13

Briana O’Higgins and Kate Clause — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:32:31 +0000

Mental health advocates to rally at Statehouse; House committee makes cuts in their version of budget; New comet to appear in US sky.

Mental Health Advocates To Rally At Statehouse

Mental health advocates will rally in Topeka this week for increased state funding for services.

Kan. Senate Could Cut Gov's Budget

Stephen Koranda — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:08:50 +0000

Leaders in the Kansas Senate say they'll likely pursue cuts to the budget recommended by Gov. Sam Brownback. Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, says their goal is a long-term elimination of the state's income tax.

A Senate committee recently endorsed a plan that would cut income tax rates. To help balance the budget, it would also eliminate the state's tax deduction for mortgage interest and keep the sales tax elevated.

Top Morning News 3.04.13 (Updated)

Briana O’Higgins and Kate Clause — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:40:29 +0000

Updated: 9:00am

Senate President Wagle calls for further cuts to state budget; Gov. Brownback praises Wichita's water plan; Education is a hot topic at legislative forum; KS Cosmosphere build viewing room for space restoration work.

Kan. Senate Could Cut Gov's Budget

Leaders in the Kansas Senate say they'll pursue the budget cuts recommended by Gov. Sam Brownback. A Senate committee recently endorsed a plan that would cut income tax rates.

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Top Morning News 2.19.13

Briana O’Higgins and Kate Clause — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:32:29 +0000

Health exchange in Kansas will be federally operated; Budget director apologizes for numbers error; KU building gets slashed from Senate budget.

Kansas Will Have Federally Operated Health Exchange

The new, online health insurance marketplace going into effect next year will be operated by federal officials.

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Brownback Budget Director Apologizes For Incorrect Number