Gov. Sam Brownback line-item vetoed two provisions of a $15.6 million budget he signed into law on Sunday. It was last day for which he could sign the legislation, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.
In a statement, the governor said he signed the budget despite concerns about excessive spending to avoid a break in government services and to provide state workers with pay increases.
“This budget, passed on the 113th day of the legislative session, unnecessarily increases government spending in several areas and fails to adopt common sense cost saving measures identified by the legislature’s own efficiency study,” he said.
Lawmakers return to Topeka today to wrap up the 2017 session, and Rep. Jim Ward, a Wichita Democrat, told the Topeka Capital-Journal, he’ll work to override Brownback’s line item vetoes. Brownback struck from the budget a provision to require legislative approval for changes to Home Based Community Services waivers. Brownback said the provision might limit the ability of the state to make changes without legislative approval to other programs within the Kansas Department of Aging and Disabilities Services.
The Governor also vetoed a budget provision that would transfer money from the Lottery Operating Fund, because he previously vetoed legislation that would expands the state lottery to allow ticket vending machines. Brownback said he vetoed that legislation, because the state lottery “has a disproportionately negative effect on low income Kansans.”
“Rather than investing limited resources in games of change, our goal is to help low income Kansans find a path to self-reliance and independence through education, work, and savings,” he said in a June 15 statement.
Legislators may also work to override that veto that override Monday as well. June 26 marks Sine Die, or the last day of the 2017 legislative session. Typically, it’s a formality with limited attendance from lawmakers, which could complicate efforts to override Brownback’s vetoes.