Kansas lawmakers are slated to vote on a bill Sunday that would delay a payment into the state pension plan and cut government spending to balance the budget.
Legislative leaders had originally planned to vote on the bill late Saturday night, but some lawmakers objected after having little time to review it. The Senate also adjourned until Sunday after a major health care bill was delayed for more work, meaning there was no way to end the session Saturday night.
The proposal would require Gov. Sam Brownback to cut more than $80 million in spending next fiscal year. Republican Sen. Ty Masterson says the plan relies on the governor because of disagreements among lawmakers.
“The danger is nothing passing. I think the debate in this building has become toxic to the level I’m not sure anything passes,” Masterson says.
The plan protects public schools from any funding reductions.
Democratic Sen. Laura Kelly says leaving it up to governor to make budget cuts is dodging their responsibilities.
“I still think we ought to try to do what we are sent here to do, which would be to provide a truly balanced budget,” Kelly says.
Universities will likely face reductions, and the bill changes how the trimming would happen. The larger institutions, Kansas State University and the University of Kansas, would take more significant budget cuts.
