Republican leadership in the Senate is saying Gov. Kathleen Sebelius should receive a bill to cut this years budget this afternoon.
They are urging the Democratic governor to call a State Finance Council meeting later today.
On Monday, a scheduled meeting of the council didn’t happen after the governor and GOP Legislative leaders disagreed about proposal by the governor to allow the state to borrow $225 million from itself to temporarily pay bills.
The disagreement means that state employees may not get paid Friday, state income tax refunds are on hold as are Medicaid payment to providers such as doctors and hospitals.
Below is the release from Senate leadership:
TOPEKA – Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, and Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, issued a statement encouraging Governor Kathleen Sebelius to review the budget bill that will reach her desk by noon today and to call a State Finance Council meeting for later in the afternoon to address the state’s budget needs.
In a joint statement, the Senate Republican leaders said:
“We are pleased to announce that the budget-balancing bill will be in the governor’s hands by noon today.
“The governor’s decision yesterday to cancel the scheduled meeting of the State Finance Council has caused concern for many Kansans. We encourage her to call a finance council meeting later today so that taxpayers can get their refunds and state employees can be paid on time.”
The bill passed last week by the Kansas Legislature was expedited through the exacting printing, enrolling and proofing process to get a copy into the Governor’s hands as soon as possible.