Kansas

In the final month of the 2015 fiscal year, Kansas took in $22 million less in revenue than expected, leaving the state $33 million below projections for the 12-month period, officials said.

With the longest legislative session in Kansas history nearing its end, House members finally found the 63 votes needed to close a $400 million deficit with a sales-tax increase.

Seeking an end to the longest legislative session in Kansas history, Gov. Sam Brownback said he would sign legislation increasing sales and tobacco taxes to erase a $400 million budget deficit.

In a continuing trend, Kansas revenues fell $5.8 million below projections in May, the penultimate month of the fiscal year.

With the Kansas Legislature seeking agreement on proposed tax increases to cover a $400 million budget shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1, state budget director Shawn Sullivan said employee furloughs will begin June 7 if no agreement is reached.

At least eight school districts in Kansas closed earlier than scheduled due to state budget cuts as the state legislature looks for more ways to reduce a budget shortfall in the coming fiscal year.

After a petition drive and series of legal battles, the Topeka, Kan., City Council rejected a proposal to buy the Heartland Park racetrack with state sales tax and revenue bonds.

Kansas revenues fell $4.4 million below expectations in April, the state Department of Revenue reported as state lawmakers returned to Topeka to complete the budget for the coming fiscal year.

Pension obligation bonds are land mines municipal issuers should avoid, according to Janney Capital Markets.

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback announced $72 million in spending cuts for the fiscal year beginning July 1 after new estimates projected a $400 million budget deficit.

Kansas is seeking underwriters for a pension bond issue after Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill authorizing $1 billion of bonds for the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.

Declining state support and flat enrollment prompted Moody's Investors Service to cast a negative outlook on Kansas State University's upcoming sale of $61.7 million of revenue bonds rated Aa2.

A bill authorizing $1 billion of pension bonds for state retirees is on its way to Gov. Sam Brownback after winning approval in the Kansas Legislature.

Even under lowered expectations, Kansas’ revenues fell $11.2 million below projections in March, according to state Department of Revenue secretary Nick Jordan.

The Kansas Legislature has approved Sen. Ty Masterson's bill replacing the state's school funding formula with a block grant system recommended by Gov. Sam Brownback.

A bill authorizing issuance of $1 billion of pension bonds is beginning its journey through the Kansas House after winning state Senate approval. The bill is part of Gov. Sam Brownback's plan to patch a $600 million budget deficit.

Kansas surpassed its revenue forecast for February by $22 million, bolstering Gov. Sam Brownback's position that tax cuts are leading to economic growth.

The Kansas House Transportation and Public Safety Budget Committee has removed Gov. Sam Brownback's budget-balancing proposal to transfer $280 million from the Kansas Department of Transportation to the general fund.

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback cut $44.5 million for K-12 public schools and higher education as the state Legislature approved cash transfers to close a $344 million budget deficit.

Kansas revenue officials said that greater-than-expected income tax refunds contributed to lower-than-expected revenues in January, extending the $279 million shortfall for the current fiscal year.