The Kansas House has passed a bill that will eliminate most of a $300 million budget shortfall in the current fiscal year. The legislation mostly relies on diverting funds from other parts of state government, including money from the state highway fund, to close the budget gap.
Several Republicans said they were voting “yes” but with reservations. They also called for revamping tax cuts passed in recent years. Representative Barbara Bollier is from Mission Hills.
“I originally voted ‘no’ on this tax plan that is failing to bring the revenue needed to Kansas. My ‘yes’ vote today recognizes that bills must be paid,” says Bollier.
The legislation is moving fast, with the understanding that the state could face a cash crunch by the middle of this month. The Kansas Senate could take up the bill as soon as Thursday. Smaller-than-expected tax collections in recent months mean the bill will still leave a budget deficit of around $800,000 by the end of the fiscal year.
