Kansas State Budget Deficit

 

In light of Election Day, coverage of the latest budget numbers for the state of Kansas fell by the wayside.

 

But truth be told, the numbers are staggering. According to the latest financial forecast from Kansas Legislative Research, Kansas will face a $137 million deficit for the current fiscal year, and that shortfall balloons to $958 million by the next fiscal year (FY 2010).

 

Just two years ago, the Kansas Legislature had more than $900 million in the bank and by next year we’ll be overspending by nearly $1 BILLION. 

 

This is what happens when lawmakers continue to overspend. They cannot predict when the economy will take a downturn, and now they’ve been caught by a sharp decline in tax revenues. The 2009 Legislature will immediately have to raise taxes or cut budgets.

We'll fight for the latter. AFP will continue to urge the Legislature to live within its means, and trim any wasteful spending from the budget.

 

 

Read coverage in the Topeka Capital-Journal of the Kansas budget plight. To view yesterday’s memo from Kansas Legislative Research, click here.