Kan. regents: State needs to consider taxes

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Two members of the board that oversees Kansas' higher education system believe the state needs to consider raising new tax revenues.

Board of Regents members Dan Lykins and Gary Sherrer made their comments Wednesday after hearing from a top aide to Gov. Mark Parkinson, who said the state's budget problems will linger into 2012.

In fact, State Budget Director Duane Goossen told the board that some of the state's toughest budget decisions lie ahead.

Goossen said Parkinson will announce before Thanksgiving how he will make nearly $260 million in cuts and other adjustments to keep the current budget balanced.

But he said spending will have to remain down for the following two fiscal years.