Kan. House to debate 2012 budget

By John Milburn

Associated Press

Published: Thursday, March 31 2011 3:05 a.m. MDT

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Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback speaks to a meeting of fellow Republicans in the Kansas House during a GOP caucus, Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. Brownback is urging House Republicans to put aside their reservations about a proposed state budget so that it passes.

John Hanna, Associated Press

Summary

House members are set to debate their version of the 2012 Kansas budget with marching orders from the governor to get it done.

TOPEKA, Kan. — House members are set to debate their version of the 2012 Kansas budget with marching orders from the governor to get it done.

The bill on Thursday's calendar outlines spending some $14 billion in the fiscal year that starts July 1. It calls for spending about $6 billion in state revenues and closes a projected $493 million shortfall.

House Republicans received some words of encouragement Wednesday evening when Republican Gov. Sam Brownback spoke to the 92-member caucus. He urged them to pass a budget and keep the legislative process moving.

Senators passed their version of the budget on Tuesday. It closes the funding shortfall and saves about $8 million in reserves.

The Senate plan closely follows Brownback's budget proposal from January, which called for a savings of $7.5 million.

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