Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius says she hopes the Legislature can multi-task in the upcoming session, working on health care and education.

“I think we really need to tackle both,” Sebelius said.

Sebelius has proposed a $50 million plan to extend health care benefits to 70,000 Kansans that would increase the cigarette tax by 50 cents per pack.

She will tout that proposal during a visit Monday to a Manhattan nursing facility. Some legislative leaders have said the session that starts Jan. 10 should be focused on public school funding.

“This session is about education,” House Speaker Doug Mays, R-Topeka, said. “Health care along the way will get some consideration, but to lose our focus off the main issue, which is K-through-12 education, would not be a good thing,” he said.

The $2.7 billion school finance system was declared unconstitutional by a state judge because it discriminated against minorities and students with disabilities. The ruling is being considered on appeal by the Kansas Supreme Court, which could issue an order before the session starts.

Sebelius led an attempt to increase taxes for schools, but was rejected by the Republican-dominated Legislature.

Meanwhile, on health care, Sebelius defended her proposed cigarette tax increase to provide more health care.

“Not only is it a logical way to pay for it, but it also lowers smoking rates in Kansas,” Sebelius said.

She said her proposal also doesn’t detract from the need to focus on education funding.

“I was anxious to come with a health plan that has a funding source, and says we are not putting this priority ahead of public education in terms of general tax dollars,” she said.

Sebelius also has approved aligning Kansas with several other states in a program where Kansans can purchase some prescription drugs from Canada at discounted prices.