Kansas state officials revised revenue estimates downward earlier this year, but apparently their revisions were still too generous.
Officials disclosed yesterday that the state saw $22.5 million less revenue that expected during the month of June.
In November and April, state financial analysts lowered tax revenue projections for the current fiscal year to reflect diminished expectations for economic growth in Kansas. [...]
The state closed on a down note in June with the $22.5 million shortfall.
That reflected $14 million less than expected in individual income taxes and $11 million lower than predicted in sales taxes.
There is every reason to expect this will continue for the foreseeable future or until which time the governor's office and the state legislature agree to roll back their disastrous tax cut regimen.
Recent moves made by the state government, which primarily revolve around regressive sales taxes and spending cuts, will not make up for Governor Brownback's campaign to eliminate income taxes.
Legislation recently signed into law by the governor dictates that he cut another $50 million in spending during the current fiscal year which begins today but, as things stand, that may not be enough.
If the governor had any integrity he would resign. Absent his resignation, a cursory search tells me state law permits recall elections for all state officials except for judges. The people of Kansas may want to consider that in the not-too-distant future as the state is only 7 months into Brownback's current term as governor. There's no telling how much damage his administration could do over the next 4 years.
8 years of Brownback could be to Kansas what 8 years of George W. Bush was to America. We know how that ended.