In the afternoon of March 16, my father died and I was called away from the House of Represent?atives for the balance of the week.
I came back Monday morning (March 23) to a full day of work?ing on the 2010 fiscal budget.
What I have heard is: It?s going to be brutal. I am aware there are planned cuts?there will be cuts?to K-12 education. How much is in doubt, but when the final bill is passed on this subject, there will be cuts.
We anticipate a proposed 0.8 percent ($33 per pupil) cut on K-12 base sums, and 1 percent of the special education sums.
Other areas and agencies face proposed cuts in a range from 3.4 percent to 9.5 percent. We are now working the bill on the floor of the House, so I have nothing else to report.
I hope this helps you understand the gravity of our budget. I will do the best I can to balance our priorities and advance my desire to fund education as fully as possible, keep Kansas safe, and assist those who are our most vulnerable.
I apologize for the short column this week.
You may e-mail me at: Brookens70@sbcglobal.net or write me at either 201 Meadow Lane, Marion, KS 66861 or at Kansas State Capitol Building, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. If you are coming to Topeka, call me at 785-296-7636.
