TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Kansas lawmakers are making progress on drafting a new state budget, hoping to have it ready for debate in the coming weeks.

Members of the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committees spent much of Tuesday studying subcommittee reports that will comprise the final budget. Those reports include recommendations on spending for public employees and higher education.

State Treasurer Ron Estes scheduled a news conference Wednesday to discuss the budget and the importance of leaving sufficient reserves for the state to make required payments on time.

Kansas is required to have a balanced budget each year with a reserve account equal to 7.5 percent of all spending from the state general fund.

The new budget will take effect in the 2014 fiscal year, which starts July 1.