Topeka ? Gov. Bill Graves and other Republican leaders Monday turned up the heat on the Kansas House to increase taxes, but the House again said no.

The standoff threw the 2002 legislative session into the record books for longevity  today’s meeting will be the 104th day of the session, breaking the record of 103 days set in 1991.

On Monday, the House voted 70 -51 against a $275 million tax increase that would have raised sales, cigarette and inheritance taxes. Moments later, the House rejected a $6.5 million increase in liquor taxes by an 88-32 vote.

The actions came just moments after Graves had a news conference releasing a long list of $300 million in cuts he said he would be forced to make July 1 if the House doesn’t approve a tax increase to help prop up a $4.4 billion state budget.

The governor’s cuts include $182.5 million from public schools and $56.1 million from higher education, including $11 million at Kansas University and $8.3 million at KU Medical Center.

Graves and Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer announced they would make statewide swings today to various media outlets to rally support for a tax increase. Graves threatened to call lawmakers back to Topeka for a June special session if they don’t adequately fund the budget.

House Speaker Kent Glasscock, R-Manhattan, pleaded with fellow Republicans to vote for the tax package. Republicans have a 79-46 edge over Democrats in the House.

After the tax increases fell, Glasscock said, “I’m going to keep pounding my head against the wall. My head’s getting sore, and my hair is falling out.”

The failure also prompted sniping among Republican leadership.

House Majority Leader Shari Weber, R-Herington, voted against the increase in sales, inheritance and cigarette taxes, saying she could support a smaller increase of about $225 million.

Rep. John Edmonds, R-Great Bend, sponsor of the bill, said it was “unconscionable” Weber would be “a cheerleader for the opposition.”

“I’m sick of it,” he said. Glasscock also said he was disappointed with Weber’s vote.

The tax measure Monday would have raised the state sales tax to 5.3 cents per dollar from 4.9 cents, the cigarette tax to 89 cents per pack from 24 cents and re-established the inheritance tax on distant relatives. The package also included tax breaks for certain businesses, including the Goodyear plant in Topeka. The breaks were described by Edmonds as “a spoonful of sugar” to help House members vote for tough tax increases.

Essentially, a group of conservative Republicans and Democrats have been killing the tax bills. The Senate has approved a nearly $300 million package and has left town while awaiting House action.

Rep. Troy Findley, D-Lawrence, said the proposed tax increases were regressive, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income Kansans.

In addition, he said, he didn’t like the tax breaks given to businesses and that the total package was simply a Band-Aid for the budget and public schools.

“Today, I’m not prepared to settle for that,” he said.

But Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, was one of only two Democrats to support the increase in sales, inheritance and cigarette taxes.

She said she has been willing to vote for taxes to support the budget. “I think it’s necessary for education, social services and all the things we’ve been fighting for all year,” Ballard said.

Lawrence-area legislators voting in favor of the bill were Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence; Lee Tafanelli, R-Ozawkie; Ralph Tanner, R-Baldwin; and Ballard. Voting in opposition was Findley.

Tanner was the only area legislator voting in favor of the increase in liquor taxes. Those opposing it were Sloan, Tafanelli, Ballard and Findley.