The Latest: Kansas lawmakers open session facing budget gaps

Kansas legislators have opened their annual session to wrestle with the state's budget problems and consider rolling back income tax cuts championed by Gov. Sam Brownback.

The state faces a projected shortfall of $342 million in its current budget and gaps in funding for existing programs totaling $1.1 billion through June 2019.

Chief Justice Lawton Nuss is warning that the Kansas Supreme Court could be forced to close the state's courts extra days if lawmakers cut the judicial system's budget.

Chief Justice Lawton Nuss says the Kansas Supreme Court hopes to have a decision on whether the state's spending on public schools is adequate.

Kansas House leaders plan to have a new and unusually large budget subcommittee work on a new public school funding formula.

The House previously had five Appropriations subcommittees and one handled both public school and higher education spending.

House Majority Leader and Dighton Republican Don Hineman said Monday that the intent is to have one committee focus on public school funding.

The Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature expects to kick off its debate over ending an income tax break championed by GOP Gov. Sam Brownback shortly after lawmakers open their annual session.

Kansas has struggled to balance its budget since GOP legislators slashed personal income taxes in 2012 and 2013 at Brownback's urging in what many voters now see as a failed economic stimulus effort.