Following action by the Kansas Senate earlier this month, the Kansas House has passed its budget bill.
The House voted 91-32 on the $25 billion package, including yes votes from 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia, 13th District Representative Duane Droge of Eureka and 76th District Representative Eric Smith of Burlington.
Among other highlights, the bill provides a $9 million revenue stream for Emporia State University’s reinvestment model. It also sets aside funds for a 5-percent pay raise to state workers. It doubles a 3-percent tax on inpatient and outpatient services to 6-percent with the goal of doubling the current $315 million in federal funding, although that total would still be lower than the roughly $700 million in federal money available to Kansas if the state expands Medicaid.
The next step is for a conference committee to iron out any differences between the House and Senate budgets before handing the budget to Governor Laura Kelly for her signature or veto.
