|
Kansas, like many other states, is facing a $186 million gap for fiscal year 2009 and according to early estimates approximately $1 billion deficit for fiscal year 2010.〔〔(''KMBC'',"Kansas budget deficit," January 26, 2009 )〕 However, more recent estimates place FY 2010's shortfall at $654 million.〔 Governor Kathleen Sebelius recommended $600 million in budget cuts for FY 2010 which includes eliminating programs, closing facilities, freezing new hires, and reducing spending. However, in light of the federal economic stimulus package Sebelius amended her recommended budget to "prevent harm" to the state. "Budget cuts deeper than what I have already recommended are not necessary, and would in fact do great harm to our state’s economy and employment levels," said Sebelius.〔(''State of Kansas'',"Governor Kathleen Sebelius amendment to FY2010 recommended budget," February 27, 2009 )〕〔(''WIBW'',"Kansas Governor makes new 2010 budget proposals," February 27, 2009 )〕 However state officials said their target for reductions in fiscal 2010 is greater than the Governor's recommendations - $625 million. According to the Governor's recommended budget, the proposed cuts could reduce the projected FY2010 shortfall $103 million, however that estimate depends on $57 million in revenue from state-owned casinos that haven’t yet been built.〔(''Lawrence Journal-World'',"Sebelius crunches new budget numbers," March 2, 2009 )〕 However, Sebelius' 2009 appointment by President Barack Obama as United States Secretary of Health and Human Services had some state legislators that the nomination is a "distraction" from the state's budget crisis. "The state budget remains substantially out of balance, and she will leave behind no consensus on how to balance it," said Senate majority leader Derek Schmidt. House minority leader Paul Davis said that he expected nothing but a smooth transition when Sebelius left office. Lieutenant Governor Former Republican Party leader turned Democrat Mark Parkinson assumed Sebelius' role as Governor.〔(''Associated Press'',"State budget unfinished:Cabinet position comes amid fiscal questions," March 3, 2009 )〕〔(''The Wichita Eagle'',"How will Kathleen Sebelius appointment affect Kansas budget situation?," March 3, 2009 )〕 ==Impact of budget woes== *The Department of Corrections faced a cut in state funding from the current $276 million to $257 million in the next budget year. However, officials said they fear that the cut would impede on Kansas' progress on prison reforms. "We are systematically undoing those things that have led to lower prison populations, lower recidivism rates, lower absconder rates and lower reconviction rates," said Corrections Secretary Roger Werholtz."I think it's unavoidable with the kind of budget rescissions the state is having to make." For 2010 the Governor recommended $7.6 million for parole and post-release programs, a 5.7 percent cut from what the agency requested.〔(''Associated Press'',"Kansas prison official warns that cuts undo progress," March 3, 2009 )〕 *In February 2009 a Senate committee recommended that the state cut funding to higher education by 13 percent, $120 million. Educators warned state officials that such "drastic cuts" would lead to layoffs, crowded classes and cuts in courses.〔(''KSAL'',"Senate budget writers recommend huge cuts to higher ed," February 27, 2009 )〕 *Kansas City area's December unemployment rate was 6.5 percent, up from 6.2 percent in November and 5.1 percent in December 2007. Nonfarm employment in the Kansas City area was 1.01 million in December, down 11,800 jobs, or 1.2 percent, from a year earlier, compared with a national decrease of 2 percent. The nation’s nonfarm unemployment rate hit 8.5 percent in January.〔(''Kansas City Business Journal'',"January unemployment rate climbs," February 6, 2009 )〕 *In December the state of Kansas saw unemployment rates increase by a tenth of a percent to 4.9 compared to November's 4.8 percent. Department of Labor figures also showed 37,482 Kansans filed initial claims for unemployment benefits in December - twice the number filed in December 2007.〔(''The Topeka Capital-Journal'',"Employment and retail sales numbers indicate state's revenue problems won't improve soon," January 29, 2009 )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Kansas state budget (2008–09)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|