The Kansas House of Representatives passed a budget on Thursday by a narrow vote of 68 to 56. All members of the Democratic caucus voted no.
House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs, D-33rd Dist., blasted Republican legislators who voted for the budget.
“This budget does nothing to move Kansas forward,” Rep. Burroughs said. “Gov. Sam Brownback and his legislative allies have mismanaged Kansas schools, economy, and budget for too long, and it has become quite evident that most Republicans would rather throw the future of Kansas away, than admit their mistakes and change course.”
With the state of Kansas facing a nearly $200 million shortfall in revenue, the Brownback budget relies on additional sweeps, transfers, and payment delays to balance. This includes raids on transportation dollars, money from the Children Initiatives Fund, and KPERs retirement account.
“If a budget is a statement of priorities, it is abundantly clear neither public infrastructure, nor our children, nor seniors are a priority for this Republican legislature,” Rep. Burroughs said. “Instead, they have rubber-stamped the Brownback agenda again, squandering what was once a bright future for the state of Kansas.”
On Wednesday during debate on the floor, Democrats tried to improve the budget by carrying a number of amendments intended to move the state of Kansas forward. Amendments included protecting KDOT and KPERS funds from sweeps, expanding KanCare, providing pay increases for correctional officers, increasing funding for Osawatomie and Larned State Hospitals, and ensuring Parents as Teachers remained available to all Kansans.
“Fixing our state requires the Legislature to establish better priorities, set a new agenda and move in a different direction,” Rep. Burroughs said. “Democrats are willing to do that, and we hope Republicans will join us in passing common sense policies that prioritize public education, grow our economy through innovation, ensures the public’s safety and increases transparency.”
Every seat in the Kansas Legislature is up for reelection in November of 2016. Democrats encourage Kansans to make their voices heard, call for change, and vote in November.
“Despite Gov. Brownback’s dismal approval rating of only 18 percent, House Republicans continue to follow him in lock step,” Rep. Burroughs said. “Instead of changing course, the governor’s hand-picked legislators are continuing to follow him right off the cliff. The real victims will be Kansas schools, children, and families.”