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2013 Legislative Session To Commence

Monday marks the start of the 2013 legislative session. This could be one of the most significant sessions in years.

Conservative Republicans control the House, Senate, and Governor's office. In recent years. moderate Republicans and Democrats have been able to block some legislation pushed by conservatives. But that is unlikely to happen in this session.

A backlog of conservative legislation could make head-way this year. And massive tax cuts passed last year have caused a projected budget deficit of more than $250 million for the coming fiscal year, meaning taxes and budget issues will be at the forefront.

It's not yet clear how a ruling on school funding will affect this legislative session. A district court ruled Friday that the current funding level for education is unconstitutional, and school funding should be increased. 

The state will appeal the decision, but the Kansas Supreme Court likely won't make a ruling before the end of the legislative session.

Gov. Brownback will lay out his priorities at the State of the State address Tuesday.