TOPEKA — House budget negotiators this morning said they would go along with $5 million for the Kansas Affordable Airfares Program as part of a package of budget items.
The Senate’s position has been to fund the program, which returns $2.32 to the state for every $1 it spends, according to an audit.
Sedgwick County and Wichita officials have been watching this issue closely as they say keeping airfares competitive is key to the local economy.
Budget negotiators either approve funding for programs as stand-alone items or as part of a package. When an item is packaged with others, such as airfares is, the other chamber either accepts or rejects the entire package. Legislators use packages as a way to sweeten the pot for programs they want to fund. It’s akin to “if you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”
The budget conference committee is scheduled to meet again at 1:15 p.m.
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