The economy for Kansas looks to be slipping towards recession again, but Governor Sam Brownback is staying optimistic.

For the first time in two years, the number of people claiming unemployment benefits rose in August...up from six and half percent to six point seven. And new federal data shows one in seven people in the state are living below the poverty line....and that means more strain on social service programs like food stamps. But the governor says these are short term drawbacks, and he’s looking ahead to the future. He’s working on long term solutions, which he says include a permanent change in tax rates and elimination of regulations constraining growth.