More budget cuts are prudent but difficult

Kansas Senate Republican leaders announced Thursday that they want to cut $300 million from the state’s current-year budget – though they didn’t say how or where they would cut. State tax revenue dropped dramatically the past two months and may continue to do so, so more budget cuts likely are needed. But cutting $300 million would be difficult, given that the current fiscal year is already more than half over and schools and state agencies signed contracts for this year based on their promised funding. State budget director Duane Goossen argued that it would be better to wait until January revenue numbers are in before deciding to make cuts that drastic.