Kansas Budgeteers Talking Small Ball

AP) – The chairmen of the Kansas House and Senate budget committees don’t expect lawmakers to rethink the spending recommendations they’ve been developing.

Republican Sen. Ty Masterson of Andover and GOP Rep. Ron Ryckman Jr. of Olathe said Tuesday that they believe most details have been settled for the state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Legislative researchers estimate that House and Senate budget negotiators are on track to draft a budget that requires about $6.4 billion in state tax revenues. Spending financed with those tax dollars would grow about 3 percent.

Lawmakers then would have to raise taxes $406 million to balance the budget.

Masterson said budget negotiators may trim their spending proposals between $20 million and $30 million. Ryckman said he sees only minor tweaks coming