Brownback to Offer Budget Plan Saturday– Budget Overtime Lurches On

(AP) – Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has a new plan for raising taxes to close a projected budget shortfall.

But he wouldn’t discuss the details Friday evening.

Republicans who control the Legislature have been divided over how to raise new revenues to erase the $406 million shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

They are considering increasing sales, tobacco and business taxes but can’t agree on specific proposals.

The Republican governor called a news conference for Friday evening to announce his new plan but canceled it less than 40 minutes later, just before the event was to start. He met privately with top legislators instead.

The state’s budget problems arose after lawmakers slashed personal income taxes in 2012 and 2013 at Brownback’s urging as an economic stimulus.