TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Many legislators are gloomy about the
state's financial future.
They've wrapped up work on a $13.6 billion state budget for the
fiscal year beginning July 1.
But many of them believe that the budget will create problems
for them next year.
The Legislature's research staff predicts the state will end its
next fiscal year on June 30, 2009, with $119 million in treasury
reserves.
But staff projections suggest that if lawmakers try to keep
spending at already promised levels, the state will face a
shortfall approaching $200 million for fiscal 2010.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius acknowledged Thursday that next year will
be difficult. But she predicted that the crunch will be temporary
because the state's economy is solid.