State government spending beyond its means

Texas lawmakers, particularly those anxious to spend and tax our way to greater prosperity, ought to pay close attention to what is happening in Kansas right now.

From the Wichita Eagle:
[Kansas] doesn't have enough money in its main bank account to pay its bills, prompting Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to suggest transferring $225 million from other accounts throughout state government. But the move required approval from legislative leaders, and the GOP refused Monday.

The state has transferred funds before when it has been short of cash in its main bank account. Most recently, the state issued the special certificates required in July and December for transfers totaling $550 million.

Some Republicans question whether such borrowing would be legal. When the state issues a certificate, it must promise that the money can be paid back by the end of the fiscal year. But the state already is projected to have a deficit in the current budget.

What is most disturbing about this is the partisan nature of the dispute. Gov. Sebelius needs to be fully prepared to govern her state from a fiscally responsible standpoint. Fiscal responsibility is not a Republican vs Democrat issue - it is simply a matter of good budgeting and responsible spending. Clearly, the way Kansas has been operating has led to this point, and a budget fix is necessary to ensure the state's liquidity.