TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas House is preparing to debate a proposed $14.1 billion state budget that has drawn bipartisan criticism over withholding of some education funds.
The measure on Friday’s House agenda sticks closely to many of Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s spending recommendations for the fiscal year that starts July 1. It would cut overall state spending by about 4 percent, or $616 million.
But it doesn’t include $29 million sought by Brownback to cover higher-than-expected costs incurred by school districts in the current academic year. Without that money, districts would have to use their reserves.
Republicans backing the bill defend it as responsible. It could leave the state with more than $500 million in cash reserves at the end of June 2012, depending on how much lawmakers cut taxes.
