Topeka ? Could Constitution Hall in Lecompton be sold to the highest bidder?

Not likely; at least, not yet.

Lawmakers searching for revenue in a tight budget asked the Kansas Historical Society to determine whether any of the 16 state historical sites could be sold.

But the Historical Society told the Legislature “no.”

The issue arose Thursday as Senate budget writers worked on a state budget amid decreasing revenue projections and increasing economic warnings.

“In the financial situation that not only Kansas is in, but 38 states, we have to start looking at places where we could save some money,” said state Sen. David Wysong, R-Mission Hills, who leads the budget subcommittee that reviews the state historical agency. The state contributes about $6.8 million per year in funding to the Kansas Historical Society.

But Wysong said he was satisfied with the report from the Historical Society that noted several state historic sites are partnering with local groups to help pay for operations.

“It looks to me like the right thing is happening,” he said.

The Historical Society noted that many of the sites have been rehabilitated in the past several years with state funds and private donations. Many of the donations were made on the assumption that the state would remain the owner of the sites.

If the state decides there is no alternative but to sell or reduce the number of sites it administers, the Historical Society recommended a task force be appointed to make recommendations to the Legislature.

Tim Rues, administrator of Constitution Hall in Lecompton, said he would hate to see any sites sold.

“It’s a bad connotation, like selling off your heritage,” he said.