Kansas is reporting that it collected $81 million more in taxes than expected in September to extend its streak of better-than-anticipated figures to 16 months in a row.

It is the longest streak of better-than-expected collections in at least 50 years. An AP spreadsheet compiled from monthly reports shows the state hasn’t seen such a streak since at least February 1968.

The Kansas Department of Revenue reported Monday that tax collections were $696 million last month. The state’s official forecast had predicted $615 million.

The monthly surplus was 13.2 percent.

Since the current fiscal year began in July, tax collections have run $99 million ahead of expectations for a 6.2 percent surplus. The state also ended its last fiscal year on June 30 with better-than-expected tax collections.

Governor Colyer responded to today’s numbers by drawing a clear distinction between the fiscal health of Kansas today compared to previous years.

“I am pleased to see that we have once again had another healthy month of positive revenue reported in Kansas with September tax collections up $93.29 million compared to last year, exceeding expectations for the month by $81.04 million,” said Gov. Colyer. “We have a growing economy, wages are up 4.8 percent, and our total revenue numbers give us plenty of room to both adequately fund schools and cut taxes.”