Lawmakers will continue their research into Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s budgetary plan as they enter the second week of the 2023 legislative session.
17th District Senator Jeff Longbine and 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber, both of Emporia, see several items that are promising, including full funding of public education, increased funding to higher education — although not to the level Longbine likes — as well as a new leveraging fund for transportation matters and an emphasis on debt retirement.
Both are concerned about a potential economic downturn or full recession. Longbine made comparisons to the state’s financial situation from over 20 years ago.
Schreiber, meanwhile, is glad the state has a “strong rainy-day fund.” However…
Monthly tax revenues have come in well ahead of the prior year and state projections for over two years now. That included December’s report, which beat the official estimate by almost 15 percent and the December 2021 total by almost 22 percent.
