Topeka ? A line in the sand was drawn Monday about school funding as lawmakers prepared to start winding up the 2003 legislative session.

In the Senate Ways and Means Committee, state Sen. David Adkins, R-Leawood, pushed for a measure that would allow mostly large, property-wealthy school districts to levy a local tax for certain ongoing expenses, such as technology purchases and utility and insurance bills.

Adkins said Johnson County residents wanted this local ability to enhance school funding because they believe the Legislature is either unable or unwilling to increase school funding.

Johnson County is the most populous county in the state and among the wealthiest and fastest-growing.

A primary attraction for people moving to Johnson County is its public schools, Adkins said, and because of several years of flat education spending by the state, “patrons see evidence of decline.”

Adkins said his proposal was a “linchpin” for legislators representing such districts before signing off on any deals to end the session. State education officials said they thought the Lawrence school district also would be able to propose such a tax levy under the proposal.

The Ways and Means Committee recommended approval of Adkins’ measure, but several members spoke against it.

State Sen. Christine Downey, D-Inman, said the proposal would further widen the school funding gap between poor and wealthy districts.

She also said it would wreak political damage on school-funding advocates in the Legislature because the Johnson County delegation would be satisfied with what it had and not be willing to fight for a statewide funding solution.

Adkins’ amendment was attached to a broader bill that would delay the state’s $200 million June payment to schools, an accounting move that key state officials have agreed to in order to help balance the budget for the current fiscal year.