Kansas legislators start discussions about following up on last transportation program

Kan. legislators start transportation debate

TOPEKA, Kan. — State Transportation Secretary Deb Miller says Kansas has a good foundation to begin a new construction and maintenance program when the time is right.

But Miller told the House Transportation Committee on Wednesday that the national economic slowdown and fiscal uncertainty make it difficult to predict when a new program could be launched.

Miller gave the panel an overview of KDOT’s operations and will speak to senators on Thursday.

Legislators are weighing creation of a new, multiyear plan to finance transportation improvements. The plan would be a follow-up to the 10-year, $13 billion program that ended last summer.

But any plan is likely to require a tax increase, and the state is trying to close a projected revenue shortage of nearly $400 million for the budget year that begins July 1.