KEY QUOTE: "I stress with the rating agencies this is not just happenstance in Kansas," [State Budget Director Adam Proffitt] said. "We've been on a path forward, and we've been good stewards and fiscally responsible for a number of years now."

Kansas Ditches Debt as it Strives for Rating Upgrades

• With a stabilized budget and amid stronger-than-expected revenue growth, Kansas paid off a chunk of debt and will fund some projects with cash, saving $754 million in interest costs as it builds a case for rating upgrades.  
• The state tapped its surplus to pay down $1.6 billion of debt mostly owed to its pension system, redeemed callable bonds, and will cash fund $203 million of capital projects instead of issuing bonds, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Monday.    

• "By prioritizing fiscal responsibility, we have put Kansas back on track and ready for the road ahead," [Governor Laura Kelly] said in a statement.  
• State Budget Director Adam Proffitt said budget maneuvers such as delayed payments and interfund borrowing used by previous administrations have stopped, while budget reserves have grown — steps that should "warrant a pretty strong consideration of a (rating) upgrade or an outlook upgrade."