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Brownback Fires Back Against 'Ticket to D.C.' Comment From Top Kansas Lawmaker

Stephen Koranda
/
KPR/File photo
Brownback talks to reporters earlier this year.

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is firing back against claims made by a top lawmaker this week regarding his future political plans.

Republican Senate President Susan Wagle said Brownback might not be focused on the state’s budget problems, because he might be focused on a possible job in the administration of President-elect Donald Trump.

“I can assure you a number of legislators are very concerned that the governor is looking for a ticket to D.C., and we’re concerned that we may not get a budget that has a long-term structural fix in it,” Wagle said earlier this week.

Brownback, a fellow Republican, said in an interview that Wagle is off the mark.

“I think it’s wrong, and I think it’s ridiculous and I think it’d be more helpful if she would be proposing budget solutions rather than name calling," he said. "We’re working hard on the budget."

Brownback isn’t giving many details of his budget proposal, but says it will include both spending cuts and new revenue.

Stephen Koranda is the managing editor of the Kansas News Service, based at KCUR. He has nearly 20 years of experience in public media as a reporter and editor.