The Kansas House recently approved a state budget bill that allocates $162 million less than the amount recommended by Gov. Laura Kelly. The bill, which passed with bipartisan support (83-36), aims to align expenditures with revenue forecasts to ensure long-term sustainability. As reported by The Kansas Reflector, the $10.5 billion general fund budget, which is 2.4% less than the current year, focuses on conservative spending, despite agencies requesting $1.1 billion in new spending.

Key funding includes $14.3 million for two-year college apprenticeships, $12.4 million for juvenile programs, $179 million for bridge construction, and $7 million for a state airplane hangar in Wichita. It also earmarks $11.7 million for municipal water projects, $10.1 million for judicial salaries, and $8.7 million for removing individuals from Medicaid waiting lists.

The bill also reflects changes from the House’s budget process, including amendments to support volunteer fire departments and the Kansas Department of Commerce. However, proposed amendments to expand Medicaid and eliminate school lunch co-pays were rejected, as were efforts to fund a Black economic initiative. The House bill, if enacted, would mark the first time in five years the Legislature has reduced spending.