TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback’s budget director and top Republicans say Kansas needs to balance its current budget by mid-February to ensure that the state can keep paying all of its bills on time.

Budget Director Shawn Sullivan said Wednesday that the GOP-dominated Legislature should pass a bill by Feb. 13 to close a projected $279 million shortfall in the current budget to head off any potential delays.

The Republican governor’s proposals include diverting money from highway projects to general government programs and making selected spending cuts.

The House Appropriations Committee had a hearing Wednesday on his proposals and plans to approve a bill by Monday. Chairman Ron Ryckman Jr. said lawmakers are pressed for time.

The state also faces a projected $436 million shortfall for the fiscal year beginning in July.