Kansas Looks at Shuffling Funds to Close New Budget Gap

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A spokeswoman for Gov. Sam Brownback says his staff is looking at shuffling funds within state government to cover a projected short-term budget deficit.

But Brownback spokeswoman Eileen Hawley said Friday that budget-balancing measures won’t be finalized until officials have a better picture of revenues this month.

Tax collections fell $74.5 million short of expectations in May. That leaves Kansas with a projected deficit of about $45 million when the fiscal year ends June 30.

Hawley said the governor does not anticipate trimming spending to address the problem. But making cuts so late in a fiscal year is difficult anyway.

She said the governor’s budget staff is looking at diverting fees collected in dozens of special funds into the state’s main bank account, where the shortfall would occur.