While discussing a number of issues facing the state Tuesday, Gov. Sam Brownback provided several tidbits of information that will be of interest to local residents.

During a meeting with Journal-World staff members, the governor confirmed that his budget would include funding to replace the city and county funds currently committed to pay rent for the local office of Social and Rehabilitation Services. The deal worked out to keep the Lawrence SRS office open called for the SRS secretary to make a good-faith effort to find state funding for that purpose. Although it remains to be seen whether that funding will be in the final budget approved by state legislators and signed by Brownback, it’s good news that the appropriation will be in the governor’s initial proposal. Local officials should work with the state to reduce the cost of keeping the local SRS office open, but that cost ultimately is a state, not a local, responsibility.

Another state action that has drawn considerable local attention is the current status of the Kansas Arts Commission and its companion Kansas Arts Foundation. Brownback used his line-item veto to eliminate all funding for the KAC from the state budget this year. He pointed out on Tuesday that the current situation wasn’t what he had initially proposed for the arts and acknowledged that he wasn’t completely satisfied with the current structure. When asked, he confirmed that he planned to revisit the situation in his proposed budget for next year but declined to give any details.

The destruction of the KAC has been broadly criticized across the state, and it’s good Brownback is willing to take another look at the plan. Hopefully, the governor will be able to work with legislators to forge a good solution for arts funding that will avoid the kind of standoff that occurred in the last legislative session. At minimum, such a plan should provide some support for the staff and structure that allowed KAC to provide so much benefit to arts across the state.

Most people in Lawrence also will applaud the governor’s assertion concerning the South Lawrence Trafficway. Brownback said the SLT is an important part of the state’s overall traffic system and he plans to make sure funding is available to finish it. “This one has got to get done,” he said. “It is going to get done.” After decades of debate, it’s good to know that funding will be available to build this road if no new legal obstacles occur.

More details on revisions to the state school finance formula will be announced today, and the governor said he still is working on his tax overhaul. Both will be part of a huge agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Many issues that could fundamentally change the social and economic fabric of Kansas will be on the table. The governor is providing a few details on his plans now but many remain to be revealed or, perhaps, worked out. Kansans who care about the future of the state should keep a close eye on Topeka and stay in close contact with their elected representatives during the upcoming session.