How would you like to have a month to come up with $30 million to settle your bills?

That’s the situation currently faced by the state of Kansas.

State legislators had made significant cuts in the current year’s budget to try to deal with revenue shortfalls. They thought they had accomplished that goal, but with only about $17,000 to spare. Unfortunately, when May tax revenues came in $103 million below projections, the state finds itself a few million dollars short of being able to meet its financial obligations.

“Immediately, what we’re trying to do now is get out of fiscal year 2009 in a reasonable and prudent way,” said State Budget Director Duane Goossen.

So, like anyone who owes more than they have, the state is looking at ways to put off paying some of its bills.

About $11 million in state income tax refunds will be delayed, along with about $130 million in payments to fund special education programs at schools across the state. That will keep the state’s head above water until the end of the fiscal year on June 30, but it isn’t a long-term solution.

The buck has to stop somewhere. A short delay in state allocations isn’t a serious problem for school districts and other state-funded entities, but the additional cuts that apparently will be necessary to balance the state’s budget for the coming year may be another matter.

The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services is keeping 30 percent of its central office jobs and 14 percent of state hospital positions open to deal with the shortfall and expects to see more reductions in foster care services, grants to community mental health centers and cash assistance to the disabled.

School districts across the state are looking at different ways to deal with their reduced funding. The Lawrence district has reduced busing services, trimmed programs and cut coaching positions. The Olathe district reportedly hopes to hire 40 people to fill critical positions after trimming about 251 employees.

Districts can’t absorb such cuts without feeling some pain and perhaps seeing some decline in student achievement. It would be unfortunate if state cuts during these difficult times prompt Kansas school districts to revisit the lawsuit that resulted in significant increases in school funding a few years ago, but that move is being discussed.

Maybe the economy will start to turn around and help the state catch up on its bills, but officials can’t let the state go so far into the red that even more drastic measures are needed to balance the budget at the end of next year.

It’s obvious that the state financial picture still is far from rosy. With the legislative session ended, it now will be up to Gov. Mark Parkinson to make the necessary budget decisions for the rest of the calendar year. The responsibility is his, but Parkinson has said he will confer with legislative leaders and other state officials in making those decisions.

It certainly seems that the governor will need all the help he can get.