TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new report from the Kansas Legislature’s nonpartisan research staff shows that Gov. Sam Brownback’s plan for closing a shortfall in the current budget mostly pushes the problem into the next fiscal year.

The researchers released new budget projections Thursday for the Legislative Budget Committee, a panel of lawmakers from both chambers.

It shows that Brownback’s plan eliminates a projected $279 million deficit for the current fiscal year. But it also shows that under his plan, a projected $436 million gap for the fiscal year beginning in July grows to $648 million.

Brownback proposes curing much of the current shortfall in the state’s main bank account by diverting funds from other accounts to it for general government programs. Those funds aren’t included in the next fiscal year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, the U.S. Senate passed the American Savings Promotion Act (S. 1597/H.R. 3374) by unanimous consent. U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), members of the Senate Economic Mobility Caucus, introduced the American Savings Promotion Act in October 2013 to allow the creation of prize-linked savings accounts (PLS). PLS accounts would incentivize personal savings by offering participants chances to win prizes based on savings account deposit activity while never putting their savings at risk. The legislation passed the House in September 2014 and now heads to the President.

“With broad support, Congress has sent to President Obama the American Savings Promotion Act, bipartisan legislation that clears the way for banks and other financial institutions to promote personal savings,” Sen. Moran said. “This policy will help American families become more financially secure and upwardly mobile. In passing the American Savings Promotion Act, the House and Senate have shown that good ideas may still have a chance in Washington.”

“Too many families in Ohio – and across the nation – are living paycheck to paycheck,” Sen. Brown said. “Between stagnant wages and an insufficient minimum wage, it’s hard for families to prioritize savings. That’s why this legislation is so important. Families should be encouraged and excited to save. This bill accomplishes that and I am proud to have worked with Sen. Moran to get this bill passed.”

The American Savings Promotion Act would promote savings by creating a narrow exemption for prize-linked-savings (PLS) products. By removing federal barriers to banks and thrifts offering PLS products, the legislation clears the way for states to enable all interested financial institutions under their jurisdiction to offer these valuable financial tools. Forty-four percent of American households lack the savings needed to cover basic expenses for three months, leaving families vulnerable to financial uncertainty. In 2013, the personal savings rate dipped to just 3.8 percent, down from 10.5 percent in 1963.

Prize-linked saving has been identified as an attractive way to incentivize saving by a broad range academics and financial policy professionals:

• Stuart Butler of the Heritage Foundation and author of Boosting Economic Savings Through Prize-Linked Savings: “The dearth of savings in America, particularly among lower-income Americans, is a major obstacle to upward mobility and achieving the American Dream. The creative idea of prize-linked savings has proved to be very successful in boosting savings, but red tape blocks federally chartered financial institutions from offering these pro-savings products.”
• In a 2011 Financial Times op-ed, former Obama OMB Director Peter Orszag advocated for PLS: “In the coming decade, we need a comprehensive effort to raise household savings. As part of that push, let’s give savings accounts linked to lotteries a chance.”
• Tim Flacke, Executive Director of D2D Fund: “Based on our last five years of work on prize-linked savings, we believe this is a proven and promising innovation to help engage Americans to save. We applaud the leadership of Senators Moran and Brown to help expand PLS through this bill so that more Americans can experience a fun and successful way to save.”

Chanute- A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before 3 p.m. on Thursday in Neosho County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Silverado driven by Jack E. Haverty, 56, Colony, was southbound on Harper Road three miles north of Chanute.

The truck left the road, struck a tree and caught fire.
Haverty was transported to the Neosho County Hospital.
The KHP reported he was not wearing a seat belt.

JOSH BOAK, AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new government report shows that nearly 20 percent of U.S. consumers — nearly 43 million people — have unpaid medical debts.

The findings from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau suggest that many Americans are being trapped by debt because they are confused by the notices they get from hospitals and insurance companies about the cost of treatment.

As a result, millions of Americans may be surprised to find they are stuck with lower credit scores, making it harder for them to borrow to buy a home or an automobile.

The report by the federal regulator indicates that much of this trouble could be avoided. About half of consumers who only carry medical debt have no other signs of being under financial distress.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors say a man has punched his defense attorney during his rape trial in northeast Kansas.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that attorney David McDonald was taken by ambulance to a hospital during the fourth day of Lance Franklin’s trial in Shawnee County District Court.

Assistant district attorney Mike Kagay said he heard a smacking sound after McDonald finished questioning the rape victim.

Senior assistant district attorney Dustin Curry said he had stood to question the witness and turned around to find McDonald on the floor. Curry said a corrections officer grabbed Franklin.

Prosecutor’s office spokesman Lee McGowan told The Associated Press no charges have been filed over the courtroom incident. The senior partner for McDonald’s firm, Tenopir & Huerter, said through a staff member that he didn’t want to comment.

DAVID A. LIEB, Associated Press

Lower oil prices are raising new financial worries in some states that rely on oil taxes to pay for roads and other government services.

With oil prices around a five-year low, budget officials in about a half-dozen states have begun paring back projections for a continued gusher of revenues. Spending cuts have started in some places, and more reductions could be necessary if oil prices remain at lower levels during the coming year.

How well the oil-rich states survive the downturn may hinge on how much they have saved and how greatly they depend on oil revenues for basic services.

Texas has diversified its economy since oil prices crashed in the mid-1980s and isn’t expressing concern. But Alaska remains heavily dependent on oil and will have to tap into savings.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Springfield police are investigating a homicide at a home in the central part of the city.

The Springfield News-Leader  reports that the victim has been identified as Joshua Kelley. The 26-year-old Springfield man was found dead Thursday morning after police responded to a call of gunshots in the area. A neighbor called to report hearing a woman screaming and shots fired around 3:30 a.m.

 Police say investigators are processing the scene for evidence and that an autopsy is planned. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

The homicide is the 17th of the year.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama plans to sign a $1.1 trillion government spending bill if it reaches his desk, although he opposes a provision blocking the District of Columbia from legalizing marijuana.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Thursday that despite reservations, Obama is set to sign legislation to fund nearly the entire government through the end of the budget year Sept. 30.

District voters approved an initiative Nov. 4 to allow possession of up to 2 ounces of pot or up to three mature plants for personal use. But language inserted by Republicans in the spending bill would bar the city from moving forward with legalization.

Earnest says the president believes Congress shouldn’t interfere with the will of city voters on marijuana and other issues. Obama supports statehood for the District.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) spoke on the U.S. Senate floor today about several of the Obama Administration’s costly regulations that hurt Missouri families, farmers, and businesses. Blunt highlighted his support for U.S. Senator Rand Paul’s (Ky.) bill, the “REINS Act,” which would require Congress to approve every new major rule proposed by the executive branch that has an annual economic impact of $100 million or more. Blunt also discussed his introductionof the “ENFORCE the Law Act,” which would help ensure the president upholds his constitutional obligation to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed.”

Click here to watch Senator Blunt’s remarks.