Kansas lawmakers want to keep money from being transferred away from transportation projects.

The House Transportation Budget Committee voted Thursday to protect $280 million in infrastructure funds that would have been transferred away over the next two fiscal years under the governor’s recommendations. Republican Gov. Sam Brownback recommended transferring a total of $724 million from transportation projects to the state’s main budget over fiscal years 2016 and 2017 to fill projected budget shortfalls.

Democratic Rep. Annie Tietze of Topeka said the move was made because infrastructure works provide jobs and are important to the state’s economy. Tietze said she anticipated the state would state issue bonds to cover the shortfall if the committee’s recommendation were to pass.

The House Appropriations Committee will review the committee’s budget recommendations on Tuesday.