Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Thursday told city officials not to expect much from the state.

“The state is still in a relatively strapped position,” she said to about 175 mayors and city commissioners gathered for the League of Municipalities’ annual “City Hall Day.”

Lawrence City Commissioner Boog Highberger attended the speech and said there weren’t any surprises.

Sebelius told the officials that the state would again withhold about $95 million in revenue sharing from the cities because of budget problems.

“We weren’t counting on that money anyway,” Highberger said.

Don Moler, executive director of the League of Municipalities, said state proposals to increase taxes would affect the ability of cities to generate revenue.

“It crowds the ability of local government to finance itself,” he said.

The organization has floated several proposals with the House tax committee to allow cities more flexibility in raising taxes, but Highberger said he didn’t think any of them would gain support in Lawrence.

Sebelius did urge city officials to lobby the Legislature to approve her proposal to borrow $465 million to shore up the state’s comprehensive transportation plan.

She said the bond issue would ensure “every project will be built on time as promised.”

Sebelius also said her two main goals during the 2004 legislative session would be to increase economic development and funding for schools.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius joins a group of school children as they help celebrate the state's 143th birthday. Sebelius and the students sang Home