TOPEKA, Kan.  -  Gov. Sam Brownback is proposing to cut the budget of the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission by 9.3%.  The commission's executive director, Carol Williams, says the $65,000 cut would prevent the agency from doing random, in-depth audits of candidates or political groups.
     Williams said Friday the commission has held one of its two auditing positions vacant for more than a year, anticipating that its budget could decrease.
     Brownback is proposing to reduce the commission's budget to about $632,000 in the fiscal year that starts July 1. His recommendation would cost the agency a full-time employee, leaving it with seven full-time and two part-time staffers.
     Brownback told reporters the state faces a tough budget environment.