State officials are expecting more money available for programs and services in coming years.
The Consensus Estimating Group has boosted its estimates for fiscal 2020, the current fiscal year, and fiscal 2021 starting next July, by over $525 million. Most of that — $510 million — would come through taxes, with the rest through a variety of revenue sources like fees.
Year-by-year, the fiscal 2020 estimate was increased by $220 million, or 3 percent. The fiscal 2021 adjustment is $305 million, or 4.1 percent.
Kansas Senate Vice President and 17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia wasn’t surprised by the move. He says this will put pressure on lawmakers to be fiscally responsible.
60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia says the only surprise for him was the size of the adjustment. He says lawmakers could go one of two ways with the new estimates.
76th District Representative Eric Smith of Burlington says lawmakers had expected to at least hit the earlier projections, if not be a little over — so to see this level of adjustment is good news. However, he cautions about long-term tax policy in light of the new revenue numbers.
Area lawmakers see several areas where money could go, including higher education, corrections, transportation and water policy.
The revenue estimating process involves the Division of the Budget, Legislative Research Department, Department of Revenue and economists from three state universities. The estimate is critical for the governor and Legislature to setting the annual budget.
