DALLAS - Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback ordered $44.5 million in budget cuts to public schools and higher education, citing January's $46 million shortfall in revenue.
The additional cuts came as the state Legislature rushed a measure to cover a $344 million deficit in the current fiscal year.
Even after additional cuts of 2% to higher education and 1.5% for K-12 public schools state aid for public schools remains $177 million higher than last year, Brownback said.
The Republican governor cited the Kansas City, Kan., school district's recent purchase of a $48,000 grand piano for an arts program as an example of flaws in the current funding formula.
"The dramatic increase in state education funding that has occurred over the last four years is unsustainable," Brownback said. "School districts are estimated to have approximately $381 million in reserve fund balances to help them offset the smaller than expected increase in state funding. The Kansas Department of Education should work with school districts to help them with any cash flow challenges that may arise."
Democrats blamed a series of income tax cuts that Brownback promoted and his austerity policies since then as the problem.
"His tax policies have worsened the divide between rich and poor and have benefited the wealthy and well off while reducing programs for the poorer Kansans such as homestead relief for renters and food sales tax rebates," Kansas Democratic Party chair Joan Wagnon said. "These policies are the source of the alienation that voters felt when they failed to register or vote or participate in government."
The Kansas Senate on Thursday took up a measure passed by the state House on Wednesday that would allow the state to keep paying its bills.
Although the bill passed the House by an 88-34 vote, some Republicans expressed regret at having to reduce contributions to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, withhold funding for road projects and children's welfare programs.
