Topeka ? A tight state budget just got tighter.

State fiscal experts Thursday projected caseload costs for social services to increase $58 million for the remaining months of the current fiscal year and for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

“These are costs that we are now expecting and will have to pay for and will have to budget for,” said Duane Goossen, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ budget director.

The caseload figure is the first half of a budget equation that state officials put together for lawmakers when they return for the wrap-up session April 27.

On Monday, fiscal experts will analyze the economy to come up with new revenue projections for the remainder of the year and the next fiscal year.

“I hesitate to comment on the big picture right now until we know the new revenue estimate,” Goossen said.

The budget figures are critical because the Legislature adopted an $11.3 billion spending plan that included a $127 million school funding increase.

That increase was funded by tapping into growing revenue receipts and cash balances. The budget also includes a 1.25 percent pay raise for state employees in July and another 1.25 percent in January.

Republicans supported the budget, saying it was a responsible approach to school funding, but Democrats said without new sources of revenue, the spending plan would create major problems in the near future.

The state was taking in about $56 million more in tax receipts than previously estimated for the fiscal year. Now that increase is essentially wiped out by the caseload figures, although more revenue may be projected on Monday.

The increase in caseload costs was driven by higher than expected payments for health care for the elderly and poor, assistance to low-income Kansans and foster and adoption contracts.