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Kansas Liberty: 16 February 2009
The revised budget hasn't been signed by Sebelius. GOP legislative leaders say they can't approve the certificates.
Stalemate: Kansas is broke, so the Governor's asking to raise the debt
Governor Kathleen Sebelius met with Senate and House leadership Monday to discuss a request she has made for a Certificate of Indebtedness of $225 million to provide for on-going state funding requirements.
When combined with previous requests, this would create a total loan of $775 for fiscal year 2009, the largest certificate of indebtedness ever issued in Kansas history.
Senate President Stephen Morris, R-Hugoton, and Speaker of the House Rep. Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, indicated that because no budget-altering legislation has been enacted, the State General Fund is not in the necessary position for the State Finance Council to approve the certificates.
In accordance with current law the State Finance Council requires that resources in the state general fund are sufficient to meet the estimated obligations and expenditures for that year before a certificate of indebtedness can be approved.
Senate and House leadership also pointed out Senate Bill 23, which was approved by the Senate and the House last week, would alter the budget so the State General Fund could meet the requirements for the funding to be approved, but this legislation would need to be enacted before the State Finance Council could approve the loan.
Sebelius issued a press release after the meeting, and said she was not currently able to sign or deliberate the legislation as it has not yet been delivered to her office.
“This political game the Republican leaders are playing affects real Kansas families,” Sebelius said in her statement. “The state cannot pay tax refunds to families who are waiting for money they need to pay rent and utilities. State employee paychecks, due this Wednesday, are now in jeopardy. Payments to health care providers and school payments, due this month, could be delayed.”
Sebelius' sentiments were echoed in coverage by the Associated Press.
- Holly Smith
A release from the Senate leadership said the Senate had intentions to get a copy of the legislation to Sebelius by tomorrow.
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