Governor Not Looking at Cuts, Taxes to Balance Budget

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback says he’s not considering additional spending cuts or new tax increases to keep the state budget balanced in the face of disappointing tax collections.

Brownback said Wednesday he’s confident the state will get through its short-term budget problems. He said he’s working on measures, without being more specific.

In July, August and September, the state’s tax collections were a total of $67 million less than anticipated, a shortfall of 4.7 percent.

The state increased sales and tobacco taxes in July to keep its $15.4 billion budget balanced. Later that month, Brownback’s administration made $63 million in budget adjustments.

Brownback ruled out further tax increases, saying, “We’re not going that route.”

But he also said he thinks the state can manage without spending cuts.