6/14/04-A bill calling for the use of bonds, federal funds and sales tax revenue to protect projects promised under the state’s transportation program has died.
HB2918 remained in the Senate Ways and Means Committee when the session ended. It previously passed the House.
The bill would have permitted the state to issue up to $150 million in bonds and then set aside $395 million in sales tax revenue over three years.
The goal was to shore up the state’s 10-year comprehensive transportation program, enacted in 1999. The plan was based on the assumption the state would receive $300 million in additional federal funds over six years.
It would allow the state to issue an additional $90 million in bonds if federal funds fell short of expectations.
The bill depended on keeping Kansas’ sales tax at 5.3 percent, rather than letting it dip to 5 percent in July 2006 as lawmakers had promised when they raised it in 2001 to help balance the budget.

3/30/04-House lawmakers voted in favor of a bill March 23 that would use bonds, federal funds and sales tax revenue to protect projects promised under the state’s transportation program.
HB2918 would permit the state to issue up to $150 million in bonds, then set aside $395 million in sales tax revenue over three years.
The goal is to shore up the state’s 10-year comprehensive transportation program, enacted in 1999. The plan assumes the state will receive $300 million in additional federal funds over six years.
The bill would allow the state to issue an additional $90 million in bonds if federal funds fell short of expectations.
The bill depends on keeping Kansas’ sales tax at 5.3 percent, rather than letting it dip to 5 percent in July 2006 as lawmakers had promised when they raised it in 2001 to help balance the budget.
For bill status, call (785) 296-2149. In Kansas, call 1-800-432-3924.