(Syndicated to Kansas newspapers Jan. 18, 2016)
Because the only thing that the Legislature absolutely, positively has to do this session is adopt a budget that leaves at least $1 in the state treasury on July 1, you’d figure this year might be simple.
Except, that the budget Gov. Sam Brownback presented to the Legislature is based on the shifting sands of state revenues, and already legislators are dubious that if they adopted it, say, at the end of the week, it would hold up.
And, they are having that feeling that the real work of balancing the budget as revenues continue to drop below expectations is going to be on them…just months before they stand for re-election.
Besides that giant problem, you’ll be glad to know that the first week of the 2016 session—well, four days because they took Friday off—was accomplished with no apparent (compensable) injuries and some interesting bills introduced that will make nice distractions for the next few months.