Kan. Senate panel endorses proposed $13.8B budget

TOPEKA (AP) -- A Kansas Senate committee has endorsed a proposed state budget that would create a deficit for the next fiscal year unless lawmakers raised taxes.

The Ways and Means Committee's 8-1 vote Friday sent a bill containing the $13.8 billion spending plan to the full Senate, where debate is expected next week.

The proposed budget is designed to keep programs at their current levels for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

But lawmakers would need to raise taxes $364 million to sustain the spending called for by the bill.

Top leaders in the Republican-controlled Senate are working to craft a package with $300 million worth of tax increases. Democratic Gov. Mark Parkinson also is pushing for higher taxes.