TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Democratic Gov. Mark Parkinson has been
friendlier toward the Republican-controlled Legislature than his
predecessor.

That's made the debate over Kansas' budget problems less
contentious.

Kathleen Sebelius' final months as governor were marked by
tension between her and GOP leaders. One confrontation in February
briefly created worries that the state wouldn't make its payroll on
time.

She resigned in April to become U.S. health and human services
secretary, elevating Parkinson from lieutenant governor to
governor.

With Parkinson as governor, legislators wrapped up their work
early in May, with a budget-balancing plan generally to his liking.

Even after slumping revenues threw the budget back out of
balance, GOP criticism of Parkinson remained muted.