(Syndicated to Kansas newspapers May 5, 2014)
The Kansas Legislature passed the state budget early Saturday, and while that’s probably a good thing, there is this little procedural business in getting it passed that is troubling.
In combination with the clock and weariness of legislators, the state’s budget for the coming fiscal year was essentially written by four people. Yes, just four people.
There are still 40 senators and 125 state representatives, and the House and Senate have budget committees that consider the budget bills they send to the full House and Senate for debate. Sounds pretty orderly.