Brownback proposes using highway funds to prop up state budget
Topeka — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is using $200 million in funds set aside for highway projects to prop up general government programs in his proposed budget.
Brownback's proposed budget would transfer the highway funds into the state's main bank account, where it can finance aid to public schools, social services and other programs.
Landon Fulmer, his policy director, told the House Appropriations Committee Thursday that it would be a one-time transfer.
And he said the transfer would not change the 10-year, $8.2 billion transportation program approved by legislators last year. (Lawrence Journal-World)
Clearly, the governor’s proposal isn’t final, and he notes that the transfer wouldn’t impact the 10-year transportation plan, but it’s not a positive indicator.
Sounds like Kansas is talking to Mike Miller in Annapolis. The Legislature has been moving money from the Transportation Trust Fund into the General Fund for some time. They've taken so much that Mike Miller made a campaign pledge during a speech in Western MD last Fall to raise MD's gas tax because there wasn't enough money in it to maintain the roads (Duh!).
ReplyDelete