State budget bill passes Kansas Senate on narrow 21-19 vote
Bill cuts overall spending 3.4% but draws dissent over special education funding and K-12 mental health services
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Senate on Wednesday approved Sub Senate Bill 315, a multi-year state appropriations bill authorizing $26.8 billion in spending for state agencies through fiscal year 2030, on an unusually close 21-19 vote. The bill, which represents a 3.4% reduction from the current fiscal year, now moves to the House, where further negotiations are expected.
The narrow margin was driven in part by disagreements over education funding. Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park, proposed a $24 million increase in state aid to special education, arguing the bill's $5 million addition would not keep pace with inflation. "I wish we wouldn't have to fight so hard every single year just to get funding for general education as well as special education," she said. The amendment failed. An amendment by Sen. Beverly Gossage, R-Eudora, cutting $16 million from K-12 mental health services also drew Republican opposition, with Sen. Tory Marie Blew, R-Great Bend, noting that 81 school districts rely on the program.
The bill includes $5 million for university research at Kansas State University, Wichita State University and the University of Kansas Medical Center, $41 million for water projects statewide and authorized pay increases for Kansas Highway Patrol officers and a 10% raise for legislative staff. Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, said broader decisions about pay increases for the state's roughly 34,000 workers would come later. "I want everybody to know how important pay increases are for our state employees," he said.
The bill's close margin is unusual for a general appropriations measure, which is considered must-pass legislation required to keep state government funded. The House passed its own budget bill 68-53 last week, and the two chambers are expected to negotiate differences in a conference committee before a final version can be sent to Gov. Laura Kelly.
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