Kansas governor-elect Sam Brownback says he will forgo education and Medicaid reforms in favor of reducing government and creating jobs.
The Kansas Republican says his first budget would come with deep cuts and changes to some state departments. The move reflects a number of campaign pledges to cut government spending and restore the state’s economy.
Mr. Brownback stressed his intention to keep “core services” such as education and Medicaid, noting that no service is entirely immune from cuts.
“It will be controversial,” the Kansas Republican said. “But if you’re going to do your core functions, you’ve got to really do some restructuring.”
Mr. Brownback will enter office with one of the largest government overhaul plans practically in place. The Republican governor-elect has spent the past month laying out specifics that will likely pass the muster of the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Mr. Brownback has touted his opposition to outgoing Governor Mark Parkinson’s support of tax increases, with Mr. Brownback saying he will not raise taxes.
