Kansas Democratic Gov. Mark Parkinson unveiled his plans to fix the ever-growing budget problems facing the state this morning. Parkinson’s strategy includes cutting $90.6 million from the 2010 budget and increasing revenue by $69 million.

Yesterday was the first day of fiscal year 2010, but the budget quickly managed to gain a deficit of $160 million.

Parkinson made allotments to fill the budget hole, which included cutting an additional 2 percent from most state agencies. Kansas schools received a $39-million cut in spending.

These additional cuts, combined with the $69 million in revenue enhancements, were gained through shuffling around funds that filled the $160 million hole.

“I said from the beginning that I would not make any budget cuts until it was absolutely necessary,” said Parkinson. “Unfortunately, that time has come and changes must be made. My plan is a responsible reaction to the current struggles we face. It makes the best effort to protect public safety, disabled Kansans and other critical services, and it does not include an across-the-board cut to state employee salaries or furloughs.”

Prior to Parkinson’s announcement House leadership released a statement that criticized the overspending the governor had approved for fiscal year 2010. While House leaders had pushed for a budget making greater cuts, the moderate Republicans in both chambers teamed with the Democrats to ensure the state continued to spend, leaving a minimal ending balance of $17,000.

But the release did not hold only Parkinson accountable for the budget crisis, as it stated that Sebelius also contributed to the state spending problem.

“The economic downturn gripping the nation has now hit Kansas with full force, and state government must tighten its belt. It is time to look past one-time fixes and bring long term stability to the state’s finances,” said Speaker of the House Mike O’Neal in the statement.

“Everyone knew the shortfalls were coming, but the Democrats in the Legislature felt it was politically expedient to avoid making critical votes to tame the state budget," O'Neal said. "They will doubtless now use the latest shortfalls to continue their call for destructive tax increases on Kansas families and businesses that will only deepen the recession."

Americans for Prosperity-Kansas released a statement on Parkinson's decision that echoed the House leadership’s perspective that the state budget would remain in crisis as long as the state continues to increase its spending.

Derrick Sontag, state director for AFP, pointed out that state general fund has grown by almost 50 percent between 2004-2008, even though the state’s population has barely increased.

“The Legislature had an opportunity to place the state in a better situation for the 2010 fiscal year and beyond, but a coalition of fiscally liberal Republicans and Democrats chose to avoid making further cuts to state government in the hopes that taxpayers would bail them out by sending more revenue to the state coffers,” Sontag said. “Their avoidance of making tough decisions on budget cuts has placed the entire state in a situation where the Legislature will begin work in January on a fiscal year 2011 budget that is already estimated to be more than $500 million in the red.”

- Holly Smith

Resource

Gov FY 2010 Budget:  http://www.kansasliberty.com/liberty-update-archive/2009/07jul/gov-fy-2010-budget/

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