by Sarah Kallail (WICHITA, Kan.)
The Kansas Department of Transportation says proposed budget cuts will cost the state jobs and hurt the state's highway system.
Monday Governor Mark Parkinson announced his plan to balance the state budget, which is currently facing a $259 million deficit.
KDOT says it will transfer $50 million from the State Highway Fund to the State General Fund to address the state's financial crisis. It says that will eliminate highway preservation projects, such as resurfacing, and equipment purchases.
The Substantial Maintenance program will be reduced by $50 million. KDOT says because those projects are paid out over more than one year, that reduction will only save $25 million this year.
KDOT will also reduce equipment purchases by 50 percent. That includes dump trucks, tractors, and mowers. It will also stop several studies. The first, a transportation study in the Kansas City area. The second, a Rail Freight study.
