Monday, April 2, 2012

The top tourism official in Kansas says he doesn't expect a legislative impasse over the budget to have a significant effect on the state's parks.

Secretary Robin Jennison said the Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism may have to delay hiring some seasonal workers because lawmakers didn't pass budget legislation before adjourning last week until April 25.

Jennison also says the budget standoff is likely to mean things like less mowing outside of well-used areas in state parks.

But he doubts park visitors will notice much.

The budget legislation before lawmakers would have provided $800,000 to cover a shortage in park fees. Some legislators have suggested that failing to provide the money could hurt park operations in the short term.