If lawmakers in Washington don't reach a budget agreement soon, a series of automatic spending cuts and tax increases will take effect.
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback doesn’t think the nation will head over the so-called fiscal cliff.
He has some perspective on the issue, having served in both the U.S. House and Senate. He says going over the cliff could have a significant impact on Kansas.
One example would be cuts to defense spending, which could affect military facilities in the state. But right now, Brownback is optimistic.
"The idea that we'd actually go over the fiscal cliff does not seem to me like one that's likely to happen,” says Brownback.
Brownback says what lawmakers may do is delay at least some of the tax increases and spending cuts.
“I think there’s a good chance they’ll probably kick something down the road for six months, or a couple of the features down the road for six months. Hopefully, do something now and then start prudently dealing with it so you don’t hit the whole things at once,” says Brownback.
Whatever lawmakers do, they could come down to the wire, as there’s just over a month left until the deadline.
