Topeka ? Less maintenance work will probably be done at state parks if Gov. Bill Graves’ proposed budget cuts are accepted, acting secretary of parks and wildlife Mike Hayden said.

Hayden, a former Kansas governor, reminded legislators the state park system depends on some tax dollars as well as visitor fees. Wildlife programs are financed solely by fees.

	Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

Graves has recommended cutting the appropriation for the Department of Wildlife and Parks by 9.5 percent, to a total of $4.2 million, in the fiscal year that starts July 1.

The 24-park system’s share of the total would be $2.8 million, down $92,000 from this year’s funding. User fees from park visitors bring in about $5.9 million a year, but that wouldn’t make up for the loss in state funds, Hayden said.

“Where we’re really going to hurt is in the parks,” Hayden said. “When folks go out to the parks, they’re going to be disappointed we haven’t been able to keep up with maintenance.”

Graves has proposed $228 million in tax increases for the next fiscal year, but none of the fresh revenue would go to the parks department. State revenue is expected to trail spending commitments by at least $426 million.

Senate President Dave Kerr, R-Hutchinson, said Friday that all state agencies will face possible cuts in programs.

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, said: “It’s just another one of the problems inherent in this budget. I don’t know how to address it yet.”

Questions about the budget arose during a Senate Natural Resources Committee confirmation hearing Thursday for Hayden, who received the panel’s endorsement.

Sen. Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, said that when the department faced a budget crisis a decade ago, Kansans complained about unmowed land and weeds at state parks.

“It’s terribly disheartening to land owners just across the fence,” Schmidt said.