The state has closed the books on fiscal year 2008, and total receipts were $41.7 million below estimates, which turns out to be less than a one percent miss.The fiscal year ran from June 30, 2007 to July 1. The state collected $5,694,924. That was 2 percent less than the previous fiscal year. Because of budget problems on the horizon, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has asked state agencies to propose one percent to two percent cuts, and for universities to draft seven percent cuts over two years.

Kessinger leaves Capitol press corps

Friday is Sarah Kessinger’s last day as the head of the Harris News Service Bureau in the Capitol. In her 10 years at the bureau, Sarah reported a lot on the environment, energy, immigration, health care, and, of course, Kansas politics. She will be missed at the Capitol but will remain in journalism to help run her parents’ weekly newspaper in Marysville.