(Syndicated to Kansas newspapers Nov. 4, 2013)
For us Statehouse hangers-on, this is the week that we get our first look at what’s going to happen in the upcoming election-year session of the Legislature.
It’s when we get the Consensus Revenue Estimate of just how much in tax revenues the state is likely to see for the rest of this fiscal year that we’re just four months into and the next fiscal year.
That estimate of revenues not only will tell the governor how much money is available for the budget for the next—and last—fiscal year of his current term in office, it will tell the Legislature how fast revenues are falling and whether the purpose of those tax cuts that reduce revenues is being met…the spurring of more economic activity in Kansas.