Topeka ? Gov. Bill Graves’ proposal to close five minimum-security prisons was endorsed Thursday by the House Appropriations Committee.

The committee’s action on prison appropriations came on a voice vote. The panel plans to put all of its spending recommendations into a single bill for the House to consider in late March or early April.

Even with the closings and the resulting $5.5 million savings, the proposed appropriation for the Department of Corrections is up $2.6 million, to a total $212.2 million, from the current fiscal year.

Targeted for closing on July 1 are units in Osawatomie, Stockton and Toronto and conservation camps for men and women in Oswego. The five institutions have space for 486 inmates, who would be moved to other prisons.

Graves has proposed $228 million in tax increases to help prevent some spending cuts and keep the prisons open but there has been little support in the Legislature.

Rep. Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, said he and others on the committee want to keep the prisons open but do not yet know how much money will be available to spend. Neither the House nor Senate has considered any tax-increase measures.