3.21.25 – Topeka (KSNT) – Story by Colter Robinson
Kansas lawmakers are budgeting for 2026 and 2027; both the Senate and House are agreeing to make cuts to various state programs.
The Senate Committee on Ways & Means gave approval to amended appropriations for Senate Substitute for Substitute House Bill 2007 on Thursday, March 20.
While the Senate and House both made recommendations to cut funding for various agencies, there were several cuts both chambers agreed on: the Sunflower Summer Program, Small Business R&D, Public Broadcasting, the Workforce Registry for Child Care and Safe and Secure Schools.
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Sunflower Summer Program
The Sunflower Summer Program, administered under Kansas Tourism, gives families a passport that can be used to track their visits to venues like museums, discovery centers, historic sites, arboretums, water parks, amusement parks, zoos, guided trolley tours, live theater events and professional sports events. Participants could visit participating venues free of charge.
In 2024, Kansas Tourism reported that it saw a 97% increase in participating attractions from the year prior.
- Fund source: Economic Development Initiatives Fund (EDIF).
- House recommendation: Delete $2,500,000.
- Senate recommendation: Delete $500,000.
The Small Business R&D program was approved by the 2022 Kansas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Laura Kelly, according to the Kansas Department of Commerce. The program partners smaller businesses with higher education institutions to help conduct research.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities across Kansas, they create local jobs and provide much needed access to goods and services, while also shaping the identity of their communities,” Lt. Governor David Toland wrote on the Kansas Commerce website. “The opportunity to offer these grants is paramount to staying ahead of the curve when it comes to research and development.”
- Fund source: EDIF.
- House recommendation: Delete $500,000.
- Senate recommendation: Delete $1,000,000.
Public Broadcasting
Kansas public broadcasting is a council established in July, 1993 that reports to the Kansas Legislature, manages certification of eligible stations, handles resolution conflicts between stations and has the power to accept grants. The council works with public broadcasting and radio stations that receive state funding such as: KPTS, KTWU, Smoky Hills PBS, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW Wichita, Radio Kansas, High Plains Public Radio and KRPS.
“The goals of public broadcasting in this state shall be to provide an educational, cultural and informational service to the people of this state; to offer a forum for public discourse on issues of public policy and the conduct of government; to enhance the quality of life for Kansas citizens; to provide public broadcasting service at a level of quality comparable to that available in other states; to explore and celebrate the diversity of cultures, lifestyles and traditions of the people of Kansas; to provide high quality public broadcasting service to every part of Kansas; and to further the general welfare of the people of Kansas.”
- Fund source: EDIF.
- House recommendation: Delete $200,000.
- Senate recommendation: Delete $700,000.
Workforce Registry for Child Care
The Workforce Registry for Child Care is a program under the Office of Early Childhood Development within the Administration for Children and Families that is described as a centralized platform to search for and track professional growth opportunities in the early childhood field.
“Current and future early childhood professionals can find support here–whether you are new to the field and wondering whether a career in early childhood is right for you, or a seasoned professional moving along your career path and asking yourself,” the website says.
- Fund source: Children’s Initiatives Fund.
- House recommendation: Delete $1,100,000.
- Senate recommendation: Delete $1,000,000.
Safe and Secure Schools
The Safe and Secure Schools is a program under the Kansas State Department of Education that works to build foundations for readiness, security and resiliency in schools, according to its website.
The program works to enhance security with, but not limited to, security cameras, integrated exterior door locks, fire alarms, panic buttons and other detection systems. The program sees schools working with law enforcement to review and evaluate crisis plans.
- Fund source: State General Fund.
- House recommendation: Delete $5,000,000.
- Senate recommendation: Delete $3,500,000.