Topeka ? Some of Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s fellow Republicans in the Legislature are anticipating a push to permanently shrink state government now that he’s in office.

House Speaker Mike O’Neal, a Hutchinson Republican, already has talked about a “permanent reset” of government with the state facing a projected $550 million budget shortfall. After listening to Brownback’s inaugural address Monday, O’Neal said the state’s economic problems require it.

“This recession has been so deep and so prevalent for so long that this idea that we’ll get through and then just go back to business as usual — as it was 2007, 2008 — is probably not going to happen, nor should it,” O’Neal said. “Permanently reducing the government footprint is probably a good thing.”

Brownback, O’Neal and other leaders of the GOP-controlled Legislature have ruled out raising taxes after former Democratic Gov. Mark Parkinson pushed through a sales tax increase last year to preserve aid to public schools, social services and other government programs. Some Republican legislators even would like to repeal the sales tax increase immediately, though Brownback opposes the idea because of the need to balance the budget.

The state is facing a shortfall despite last year’s tax increase largely because it also has used federal economic stimulus funds to prop up aid to public schools and social services, and those funds are expected to disappear in the next fiscal year. The gap between projected revenues and current spending commitments is about 9 percent.

Brownback didn’t promise outright during his inaugural address that state government would shrink permanently. However, he did say, “Our public finances strain under the weight of commitments beyond our present means.”

State Rep. Bill Otto, a LeRoy Republican, said he’s excited about the prospects of reducing state government.

“I’ve been pounding my head against the wall for six years,” Otto said, noting his tenure in the Kansas House. “I’m excited that maybe I’ll have an ally that will get some things done and do a little consolidation of government.”

Brownback will outline more details of his legislative agenda during the State of the State address Wednesday night to a joint session of the Legislature in the House chamber. He’s expected to outline his proposed budget for legislators Thursday.

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, was skeptical that specifics about Brownback’s plans should be read into the inaugural address, because such speeches focus on broad themes. He’s also skeptical about government changing permanently, having served in the Legislature since 1977.

“I’m not sure anything is ever permanent,” Hensley said. “I’ve seen governors come and go.”