Parkinson announces more cuts

Difficult times make for difficult decisions, and on Monday, Gov. Mark Parkinson announced $258 million in budget cuts and adjustments, including a $36 million hit to public schools.

Parkinson said the current cut to public education would mean an increase in class sizes throughout the state. He said some districts would be forced to lay off teachers and even close schools.

Parkinson, who said this was one of the most challenging budget times in the state’s history, said another $155 million in increased costs to schools will go unfunded. The majority of that figure was caused by unexpected enrollment increases.

Other key cuts and adjustments included $50 million in road maintenance projects either cut or postponed; $2 million in cuts to public universities and colleges, which Parkinson said would mean fewer professors and fewer classes; a 10 percent decrease to Medicaid reimbursement rates, the payments made to hospitals, nursing homes and doctors; and $85 million in federal stimulus money expected to be used for the 2011 budget was shifted to the 2010 budget.

Parkinson said other cuts made will reduce supervision of parolees and increase the number of disabled people waiting for services. The Kansas Bioscience Authority budget was reduced by $5 million.

Senate Vice President and Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee John Vratil, R-Leawood, has said the financial crisis facing legislators when they reconvene in January will be much worse than last year and he would not rule out tax increase debates toward the end of the session.

Parkinson did not specifically address tax increases but said there are a multitude of options on the table as he prepares a budget proposal for the 2011 fiscal budget he will present to the Legislature in January.

This marks the fifth time the 2010 fiscal budget, which began July 1, has been cut or adjusted by the governor or legislators as a result of four consecutive years of revenue shortfalls. As a result, nearly all state agencies will face cuts.

“We cannot make it through this recession by cutting ourselves into an incurable position,” Parkinson said. “When the Legislature returns in January, together we must look towards building a solution for the years ahead or we will permanently damage the foundation of our state.”

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