Reader poll
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.
Comments
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mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
I guess cutting the legislature salaries and their office budgets is out of the question?
RedwoodCoast (anonymous) says…
Yeah, let's privatize our history and its interpretation.What a short-sighted proposal. Just sad.
justthefacts (anonymous) says…
Ah yes. The hypocritical legislators. Those who are paid so much to do so little. Let's look at some of (by no means all) the recent decisions by the Kansas state lawmakers that would have saved some money (which might then be spent on other things, including but not limited to maintaining historic properties owned by the state): 1.Approved purchase of new computers for self and staff, when last purchase was two years ago, or less; then allowing "old" computer to be bought by staff and selves without going through surplus property procedures (resulting in bargain rates e.g. $200 for a two year old lap top!). 2.Approved skipping the usually required competitive bid procedures in order to give the state house contractors a free hand to do/purchase anything they want in order to provide a place of beauty for the Legislature (e.g. hand-cut crystal globes).3.Approved building an underground parking garage for self and staff, in lieu of requiring same to (a) pay monthly parking fees and (b) walk from the lot to their offices, like every other state employee.4.Could not get "work" done in normal session time frame, so are coming back to finish up and so they can be paid $200 per day for every day they are in session.If the Legislators want to require everyone else to make sacrifices, may I suggest they first do so themselves?