Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ proposed transportation budget, which steers millions in highway funds away from KDOT to help balance the state’s budget, was given a stamp of approval March 11 by the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Judy Bromich, an administrative analyst with Sen. Stephen Morris, the chairman of the committee, said the committee approved a subcommittee report on the budget through a voice vote. Bromich said there were no audible nays during the vote.

According to a report from The Associated Press, the governor’s budget cuts funding for the state’s comprehensive highway program by $128 million in fiscal 2004. That comes after former Gov. Bill Graves, now president of the American Trucking Associations, cut $95 million out of last year’s budget. Since fiscal year 2000, $612 million in sales tax money for roads has been shifted elsewhere.