(AP) – Kansas transportation department says the state needs to stop using transportation dollars for other priorities.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that in the last dozen years, the state has used $1.4 billion earmarked for transportation projects for other priorities.

The money was used for such things as operations for the Kansas Highway Patrol, subsidized airline tickets in Wichita and state Medicaid programs.

Deb Miller, secretary of the transportation department, says the department cannot meet its obligations to the public if the cash drain continues.

Senate President Steve Morris, a Republican from Hugoton, said he would oppose removal of future funding from the transportation department in the fiscal year 2013 budget.