No repeat, please
Right now, our state legislators are enjoying a three and a half week break from the rigors of the 2003 legislative session.
But their work is far from over.
Last Friday was the final day of the regular legislative session. But the wrap-up session still remains, and that begins on Wednesday, April 30.
When the senators and representatives return to Topeka for that day's events, they'll face the unenviable task of trying to balance the state budget — again.
Does this tune sound familiar? It should, because it's the same situation the state found itself in last spring.
You may remember the 2002 session. It was the longest in state history.
Let's make sure that doesn't happen again.
Officials have made progress. A couple weeks ago both House and Senate passed a $10.2 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2004, with the senate tacking on a small pay increase for state employees.
Problem is, even with that budget, the state still needs $229 million to balance it out.
Gov. Sebelius has presented a couple extra ways to do that. The biggie, gambling, will probably be tackled during this wrap-up session.
Yes, $229 million — that's a lot of cash. And whether legislators find more places to cut spending or more places to raise taxes, the bottom line is this: They've got to do something.
If they don't, we'll have another "longest session in history" on our hands. And we can't afford that.
— JENNIFER WILSON
