Latest Budget Shortfall Hits Highway Projects in Kansas

Bryan Lowry reports: "Gov. Sam Brownback plans to take more money from the state’s highway fund, cut higher-education spending and scrutinize other options – including cutting funding for schools – to close a widening budget gap."

"The highway department announced it would delay [pdf] 25 projects slated to start in the next two fiscal years, including ones in Harvey and Reno counties," adds Lowry.

The state is considering three options to balance the budget—as explained by Budget director Shawn Sullivan in the article. "Under all three scenarios, the governor plans to sweep, or take, $70 million from the state’s highway fund this fiscal year and $115 million next fiscal year. The state already has swept more than $1 billion from the highway fund since 2011," explains Lowry. None of the options would raise any taxes in the state.

The Associated Press also reported on the proposed budget cutbacks.