Message from Jennyfer Owensby:
Many of you have heard about or received the below email regarding a
cash flow problem in the state general fund and the State's potential
inability to fund this Friday's payroll. As the email states, this is a
political game between the two parties at the State House over the FY
2009 budget bill. I spoke with Bruce Shubert, Vice President of
Administration and Finance, and Sue Peterson, Assistant to the
President & Director of Government Relations, to find out how
serious this threat is to state employee paychecks. They both indicated
the bill should be presented to Governor Sebelius sometime this week
(possibly tomorrow) and signed soon after in time for this Friday's
payroll. I will let you know if I hear anything different. Jen
For immediate release Beth Martino, Press Secretary
February 16, 2009 785.368.8500
/The following is a statement from Governor Kathleen Sebelius regarding
efforts today by Republican Leadership to derail the State Finance
Council:/
“This is a difficult time for Kansas families, seniors, workers and
business owners who are dealing each day with the economic challenges
presented by this historic recession.
“Last week, I called a meeting of the State Finance Council to consider
the issuance of a certificate of indebtedness – a routine action
dealing with state cash flow, that allows us to move money from one
account to another so we can pay our bills on time. The use of these
certificates has been approved every year for the last decade.
“When the State Finance Council last met in December we reviewed the
cash flow patterns for this year and asked for a certificate to cover
the remainder of the fiscal year. A majority of legislative council
members refused to approve a certificate to adequately meet obligations
through the end of February.
“Today, the Republican leadership of the legislature told me they would
not approve the February certificate, only necessary because of their
actions in December, until I sign the 2009 budget bill.
“The problem is, due to the slow action by the legislature, the bill
has not been delivered to my desk, so I have nothing to sign.
“Furthermore, because this bill deals with hundreds of millions of
dollars affecting almost every Kansan – once it is delivered – it would
be prudent for me to review it thoroughly with my staff to make sure
there are no errors in the text of the bill, as there have been in the
past.
“The certificate deals with cash flow and as legislative leaders all
know, it has nothing to do with the revised 2009 budget. We will need a
certificate to make our monthly payments, whether or not the budget
work is completed.
“This political game the Republican leaders are playing affects real Kansas families.
“The state cannot pay tax refunds to families who are waiting for money
they need to pay rent and utilities. State employee paychecks, due this
Wednesday, are now in jeopardy. Payments to health care providers and
school payments, due this month, could be delayed.
“Through their refusal to act today, the Republican legislative
leadership is jeopardizing our citizens’ pocketbooks for no other
reason than to play political games – games in which the only ones set
to lose are Kansas families, workers and schools.”
--
Jennyfer Owensby
K-State Classified Senate President
Business Manager
Controller’s Office
102 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-0108
P: 785-532-6211
F: 785-532-6612
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