TOPEKA, KS - Aid to cities and counties, an expansion of the prison system and free admission to state parks were key issues Monday as legislative negotiators worked on a final version of a bill wrapping up remaining budget issues.

Talks between three senators and three House members began shortly after the House approved, 64-58, its version of the measure, worth about $177 million. The Senate approved its $66 million version last week.

Legislators already have approved an $11.7 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, but that spending plan didn't resolve all the budget issues facing lawmakers. The latest bill gives legislators a chance to correct mistakes and deal with any loose ends.

Among them was whether or not the state should issue $20.5 million in bonds to expand state prisons at El Dorado or Ellsworth. The House endorsed the idea, which Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is pushing, but the Senate didn't, opting instead for legislation to permit private prisons.

Other issues include a proposal to set aside $55 million for cities and counties. Local governments would use the money to replace property tax revenues, so they could keep their tax rates in check. The House approved the aid, but the Senate rejected it.

"We've been getting pounded by the county commissioners," said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, his chamber's lead negotiator. "People are tired of property taxes."

The state provided such aid for decades, but in 2002, Gov. Bill Graves canceled half the aid because of the state's financial problems. After Gov. Kathleen Sebelius took office the following year, she and legislators eliminated the aid altogether.

Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dwayne Umbarger said his chamber's negotiators would like to restore the aid, but understand the state must meet a Kansas Supreme Court mandate to increase aid to public schools.

"Right now, that's really our first priority," said Umbarger, R-Thayer.

Parks also are an issue because Sebelius has proposed setting aside $4 million in lottery revenues and $1.25 million in tax revenues so that Kansans can enter the parks for free, starting Jan. 1, 2007. The Senate endorsed idea, but the House set aside only $500,000, for half-price admission.

The current fee is $7 per day per vehicle, with annual permits at $46.65. Under Sebelius' plan, the state would still charge those fees to non-Kansans.