Topeka ? The Kansas Senate today will consider a no-new-tax plan for schools after rejecting two proposals Thursday that would have increased taxes for education.

The new proposal will provide $35 million in increased funding to the $2.6 billion system, according to state Sen. Dave Jackson, a Topeka Republican.

“We think we’ll have 21 votes,” Jackson said, enough for a majority in the 40-member Senate.

Senate President Dave Kerr, R-Hutchinson, said he planned to support the proposal.

Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka called it a “meager” plan that would only get support from Republicans, who hold a 30-10 majority in the chamber.

“The word ‘bipartisanship’ doesn’t have much meaning in the Kansas Senate,” Hensley said.

The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn today until returning April 28 for its wrap-up session. Senate Republican leaders say they want a bill approved in the Senate so that a House-Senate conference committee can work on a final plan in time for the wrap-up session.

Two plans rejected

Thursday, the Senate rejected two school-finance proposals.

One — already approved by the House — would have increased the state sales tax by two-tenths of a cent and the state income tax by 4.5 percent to provide $155.4 million more for schools.

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The funds would have increased base state aid per pupil by $100, and funneled $54 million into special education, while also boosting programs for students at risk of failing and students who are learning to speak English. The Lawrence school district would have received a $3 million increase in state funds under this proposal.

“That is truly a major step for the state to make,” Hensley said of the special education funding. “Everybody benefits from this provision. It goes to the most vulnerable kids in Kansas.”

State Sen. David Adkins, R-Leawood, called the measure “our best chance to do our duty by public education.”

But opponents said the tax increases would cripple the economy, tossing thousands out of work.

“If you want to make certain that the economy doesn’t recover, this tax increase will make certain of that,” said state Sen. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler.

The proposal failed, 16-23. Locally, state Sen. Mark Buhler, R-Lawrence, voted for the bill, and state Sen. Bob Lyon, R-Winchester, voted against it.

The second measure would have increased the state sales tax by one-tenth of a cent and captured funds through other taxes and anticipated growth in lottery sales. It would have added $59 million to public schools, including about $1 million for Lawrence.

“This is the last train out of the station to get something reasonable at a reasonable cost,” said state Sen. Les Donovan, R-Wichita.

But the proposal was opposed by both anti-tax senators and members holding out for a larger plan. It was defeated 12-25. Buhler voted for it and Lyon voted against it.

More details today

Jackson said his measure to be considered today would include some of the funding proposals in the $59 million-increase plan.

Jackson’s plan relies on the state keeping $10 million in unclaimed property from the conversion of an insurance company from a stock company to a mutual company.

Under the conversion, policyholders get back the value of their stock in the company. Money on stocks that can’t be returned are placed in the state’s unclaimed property fund and eventually revert to the state treasury.

Officials said another $8 million would come from anticipated increases in lottery sales, and $2 million would come from estimated increases in the amount of sales taxes people will pay on vehicles sold between individuals. Under this plan, people would have to pay taxes on what the car is worth on the property tax rolls.

But those funding sources total just $20 million of the $35 million plan. Jackson said the remaining sources of funds would be revealed today.