TOPEKA — The legislature approved a budget for next year with no new taxes but with a razor-thin ending balance of only $17,000. The bad economy causes serious declines in state revenues, Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt said. Legislators had to work hard to balance the budget, he said. The state constitution requires the legislature to balance to the state’s budget. Legislators are crossing their fingers that the state gets enough revenue to make the budget. If not, they could be called into special session later this year. Gov. Mark Parkinson has said he’s prepared to make across-the-board cuts to make the budget.
