Kansas lawmakers passed a $900 million certificate of indebtedness so the state can adjust its budget, largely due to coronavirus. That doesn’t mean they like the details.
With Governor Laura Kelly now cleared to make nearly $690 million worth of allotments, or cuts, Senate Vice President and 17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia says the cuts should go into effect now instead of January.
Longbine also expressed concerns about certain aspects of the governor’s allotment plan, which has not been announced but involves not paying around $280 million in loan payments to the Pooled Money Investment Board as well as taking $140 million out of the welfare system based on projections for lower caseloads.
In addition, Longbine agreed with the State Finance Council’s decision to act Friday instead of Thursday, when the governor proposed the certificate of indebtedness as a foundation for cuts. He says lawmakers needed more time to review the overall plan than what the governor wanted.
