Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican Gov. Sam Brownback says he’s willing to consider new proposals to trim state spending to help balance the budget, but a GOP legislative leader is skeptical that such efforts would bear fruit.
Brownback said during a Thursday news conference that it’s time for legislators to resolve budget and tax issues. Their session was eight days past its traditional 90-day length.
He and the Republican-dominated Legislature must close a projected $406 million shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1. GOP legislators are split over raising new revenues.
The Senate rejected a tax plan Wednesday. Senate President and Wichita Republican Susan Wagle said lawmakers need to trim spending.
But Senate Majority Leader and Nickerson Republican Terry Bruce said Thursday that he doubts such efforts would have enough support to pass.