WILSON — An update on the state legislature in Topeka was served up Saturday morning at the Wilson’s Midland Railroad Hotel Barn as part of the annual After Harvest Czech Festival along with cups of coffee and plates full of traditional kolaches.

During the Legislative Coffee and Kolaches 109th District Rep. Troy Waymaster (R-Bunker Hill) was joined by Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson (R-Assaria).

During his update on the state treasurer’s office, Johnson touched on a number of points.

“I have enjoyed the treasurer’s office,” Johnson said. “We have cash flow in the state.”

He noted when the state has enough revenue to meet expenses, everyone thinks they deserve additional dollars.

“We are lucky to have Troy here in the seat that he has,” Johnson said, noting Waymaster chairs the House Appropriations Committee, which is a prized chairmanship in the House.

Johnson said interest rates are “unbelievably steep.”

He noted the state just closed the fiscal year with $319 million in interest earned.

“I hope it doesn’t last,” Johnson said.

Johnson advised those at the legislative update to check on the state treasurer’s website to see if they had any unclaimed property.

That website is kansascash. ks.gov and you just supply your first and last name.

Johnson said there is just over $500 million in unclaimed property right now, with one in seven people having unclaimed property.

He also mentioned education savings plans, the 529 Learning Quest Saving Plan, which Johnson described as a great tax-free way for parents to save for their children’s education.

There are two other grant-related programs based on income — one at 200 percent of the poverty level and one at 300 percent of the poverty level.

He said the KEEP program, which is not administered by the treasurer’s office, is another great way for many in Kansas communities to pick up a few dollars for qualified education expenses. That website is keep.ks.gov.

“As families are getting ready to go back to school, spread the word,” Johnson said.

Waymaster said when he began as House Appropriations chairman seven years ago, he was dealing with a deficit of about $800 million.

“This year, we ended the state budget with almost $2 billion ending surplus,” he said. “Which is a drastic change from when I first started.”

Waymaster said the state budget is healthy.

He said a lot of COVID or federal dollars came into the State of Kansas during the pandemic.

Waymaster also said it is uncertain how long the surplus is going to last.

“Hopefully, this last year is the last time we have to address any type of federal dollars that we need to spend for the State of Kansas,” he said. “Next year, when we start in 2024, we can focus on the state budget and not have to worry about ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds.”