Alva Review-Courier -

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas saw most of a projected state budget shortfall melt away Friday with a fiscal forecast that is less pessimistic about the economy and tax collections than a dire estimate issued this spring during a statewide lockdown for the coronavirus pandemic.

The forecasting group boosted the state's forecast for tax collections by $463 million or 6.3% for the current 2021 budget year that began July 1. The group also issued its first calculations for the 2022 budget year that starts in July 2021, and while the forecast predicts a drop in tax collections of 2.1% or $166 mil...