Budget work picked up this week in the Kansas legislature. Passing a budget for the state is the one statutory requirement the legislature must achieve each year.

In the appropriations committee, we began reviewing and passing some of the agency budget recommendations for fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Our fiscal year starts July 1, and fiscal year 2021 will end in July of this year.

The budget process is largely grinding through a lot of details.

The important part is identifying those priorities where we need to invest more (such as the unemployment system or mental health) and those areas where we can reduce expenses.

Other bills brought before the committee tend to increase spending. They are good ideas, but determining their priority is the more difficult discussion.

Two of the bills presented would benefit some of our service members, who are certainly deserving. One would provide a grant to attend college for children of those who are killed in the line of duty. Another would set aside funds for a veterans’ home in northeast Kansas.

These are worthy programs. However, are they the most efficient use of funds to meet needs? Is setting money aside for college the greatest need for families of fallen service members? Is this an issue our government is the most efficient to help solve?

We likely need a veterans’ home in northeast Kansas. However, we might need to look at balancing staff with empty beds in Dodge City and Winfield.

The initial testimony was looking for a total of $50 million available to add 30 beds (that’s $1.67 million/bed). While it is the right idea, perhaps we need more details, integrated planning and cost analysis.

I often hear that government is too big. Looking at the legislative process, it appears that our government in large part is the sum of our good ideas enacted over time.

What are your thoughts?

Unemployment claim issues continue. While the department implemented changes this week to stop fraudulent claims, I fear we have to continue to be wary. This unfortunately may continue to slow legitimate claims. We did get a more recent estimate of the assets remaining in the claims trust fund of $125 million.

Again, this is a rapid decline from our $1 billion balance of a year ago. We may be in a position where we will have to borrow in a few weeks. The issue prompted introduction of a bill for the state to replenish a portion of the funds presumed to be lost to fraud.

It looks like a cold week coming up. I hope those of you who will be working outside can stay safe, livestock can weather the storms and equipment starts and cooperates. If you have thoughts or questions, please call my assistant, Jan, or me in my office at (785) 296-7696.

Ellsworth County is represented in the Kansas Senate by Richard Wilborn, R-McPherson. Call him at (785) 296-7354 or Richard.Wilborn@senate.ks.gov