Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Kansas legislative leaders are expecting several busy and contentious days, if not weeks, as lawmakers prepare for the final segment of the 2012 session.

The House and Senate return Wednesday from a three-week break with several major issues to resolve, including work on next year's budget and redrawing the state's political boundaries. The new districts must be completed by May 10 to avoid delays in the June candidate filing deadline and August primary.

Democratic and Republican leaders said Tuesday the redistricting work has become highly partisan.

House and Senate negotiators are expected to resume talks on proposals to reduce the state income tax for individuals and eliminate the tax for nearly 200,000 businesses. Republican Gov. Sam Brownback remains committed to seeing tax cuts passed this session.