New Kansas revenue forecast expected to be more pessimistic

The state has struggled to balance its budget since GOP legislators slashed personal income taxes in 2012 and 2013 at Brownback’s urging, in an effort to stimulate the economy.

The new fiscal forecast updates one issued in April and revised in July and projected that the state will collect $354 million less in revenue from now through June 2017 than the old forecast had predicted.

A new report says Medicaid and other services will cost Kansas about $47 million more than expected during the next two budget years.

In arguments before the state Supreme Court earlier this year, Robinson’s attorney said it was improper for prosecutors in Kansas to bring killings in Missouri into their case, so that Robinson would be eligible for a death sentence for multiple murders occurring in a single course of conduct.

The budget adjustments total $124 million and include a $48 million transfer from the Transportation Department, said Budget Director Shawn Sullivan.

Asked at the news conference if the state was effectively in the red, Sullivan said, “We’re basically at zero now”.

“It does protect higher ed. It does protect K-12 education”.

Initially, the 2014 Legislature complied with the Supreme Court order, increasing equalization aid by what was then estimated at $130 million.

Brownback has ruled out additional tax increases.

Democrats and a few moderate Republicans point to income tax cuts championed by the administration as the real reason for the budget crisis.

“We’ve just had colossal mismanagement for the last several years”, Hensley told reporters.