Topeka, Kan. – Kansas lawmakers return to the statehouse on Monday with the hopes of wrapping up the 2010 session. Legislators worked over the weekend trying to tie up loose ends of the last few important issues.
Legislators burned the midnight oil on Friday with house members working until the wee hours of the morning and during the day on Saturday to approve a budget.
A coalition of Democrats and moderate Republicans drafted the plan. It would avoid spending cuts to education and social services, but would require a tax increase of more than $300 million to balance.
The Senate has already approved a similar budget. They also passed a bill that would balance the budget with a three-year 1% sales tax increase. House members will likely pursue a similar plan. If it passes, the House and Senate will need to compromise differences between budget and tax bills before they can retire the 2010 legislative session.
