State short of money, Capitol renovations continue

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The state is short $61 million in taxes it didn't collect last fiscal year.

The state is short $61 million in taxes it didn't collect last fiscal year. That's causing budget headaches for everyone.

Just last week, Governor Sebelius asked each state agency to trim spending by up to 2 percent to make up the difference.

We did some digging and found that the $61 million shortfall is more than a third of what legislators approved for renovations at the Statehouse.

Those renovations include the addition of a massive chandelier with hand-cut crystals from Europe and $30 million dollars worth of masonry work to the outside of the building.

We've been tracking the spending since the beginning of the project.

The original estimate for the Capitol face-lift was between $90 and $120 million back in 2000.

Now the cost is sitting at $285 million.

Currently in Topeka, KS

KTKA