TOPEKA — House budget writers Tuesday presented a no-new-taxes budget that would force deep cuts to public schools and higher education, reduce services to the elderly and handicapped, furlough state employees and even put state property up for sale.

Rep. Kenny Wilk, R-Lansing, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said he expected the committee will send the proposal to the full House.

“We want to take a budget to the floor that fits the money we have. We certainly are not claiming this is a great work product,” Wilk said.

The proposal was put together after the House last week failed to approve any tax increases to help mend a $700 million revenue shortfall.

Now the House will have a chance to vote on cuts.

Wilk said such cuts envisioned in the spending plan would hurt. For example, the proposal would make it more difficult in the future for elderly and handicapped Kansans to receive health care assistance.

“This is tough stuff,” Wilk said.

The measure would reduce spending by about $500 million and cancel a proposed $45 million increase for higher education and $150 million in state revenue transfers to help fund highway construction.

Among the big-ticket cuts, the proposal would:

• Reduce state aid per pupil from $3,870 to $3,578, which is a cut of $292 per pupil. The proposal would reduce education spending by $168 million.
• Start a schedule of furloughing employees to save $36 million.
• Reduce higher education budget by an additional $24 million.
• Close the Rainbow Mental Health Facility on Dec. 31.
• Eliminate Kansas Inc., a state economic planning agency.
• Make the Deparment of Wildlife and Parks a fee-funded agency.
• Eliminate state funding to the Kansas Arts Commission.

The proposal includes merging several state agencies, placing a moratorium on the purchase of vehicles, furniture and equipment, and requiring the state to sell some of its unused property and assets.

The Legislature would also take a hit. The plan would shorten the 90-day session next year to 80 days and eliminate some interim work.

Staff writer Scott Rothschild can be reached at 785-354-4222.