The state’s financial condition looks “great” following a period of budget struggles, but Kansas residents shouldn’t get too comfortable.

Lawmakers expect eventually to start chipping away at the surplus the state has built since the Legislature in 2017 abandoned most of the unpopular tax cuts championed by the Brownback Administration.

“The budget at this point balances while allowing us to meet our obligations,” said Rep. Steven Johnson, R-Assaria.

And yet there continues to be needs, despite significant increases this past session on prisons, education and social services.

Johnson spoke Saturday at the annual legislative coffee that is part of Wilson’s After Harvest Czech Festival. He was joined at Grandma’s Soda Shop by fellow lawmakers Sen. Richard Wilborn, R-McPherson, and Rep. Troy Waymaster, R-Bunker Hill and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas.

Johnson and Wilborn represent Ellsworth County in the Kansas Legislature; Waymaster is from the 109th District, which includes Russell County.

Johnson said the state might experience enough growth to address the expected shortfall. He put the chance of that happening at about 10 percent.

Otherwise, he predicted tough choices ahead. Projections from the Legislature’s nonpartisan research staff show that spending will outpace revenue under the budget covering the fiscal year that started in July. Johnson encouraged audience members to share their suggestions with lawmakers. “This is a 10/20-year question. This is not a 1/2-year question,” he said. Waymaster said there continues to be room for savings. He recently learned, for instance, that the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce hold money in case it is needed. That shouldn’t happen, he said. Addressing another issue that consumed much of this past session, Wilborn predicted lawmakers will have a Medicaid expansion bill in 2020 “that fits Kansas.” The senator said he has nine rural hospitals in his 35th District. He supports legislation that would offer enhanced reimbursement to those smaller facilities. Waymaster, who heads the House Appropriations Committee, said he continues to be apprehensive about such “a large ticket item.” On other issues:

• Wilborn and Johnson said the state needs more beds for prison inmates; however, lawmakers are working to limit the number. “How many people do we want to lock up and for how long?” Johnson asked.