Topeka ? A $1.7 billion higher education budget that largely mirrors the one Gov. Kathleen Sebelius proposed for 2005 has received a Senate panel’s endorsement.

But Ways and Means Committee members complained Monday that Sebelius’ spending plan would fall more than $24 million short of meeting state universities’ needs. They said the governor provided too little money to cover administrative expenses, such as health insurance, and did not fully fund the 3 percent pay raises she promised.

Still, the committee failed to add any money to address any of those perceived shortcomings, and Chairman Steve Morris said he doubts the problems will be remedied before legislators adjourn their session in early May.

“There are just not that many resources,” said Morris, R-Hugoton. “Our idea was to make it clear what the regents are up against.”

The committee is building its own proposed overall state budget, piece by piece, and its endorsement of a spending plan for higher education came on a voice vote. The higher education system, under the supervision of the state Board of Regents, represents one of the largest parts of the budget each year.

Sebelius’ proposed budget for fiscal year 2005, which begins July 1, would increase spending on universities, community colleges and vocational colleges by $14.6 million, or 0.9 percent.

“It’s true the universities have rising costs, just like all state agencies do,” Budget Director Duane Goossen said during an interview. “But there’s a very strong effort to meet those costs.”

The committee made only two major adjustments to Sebelius’ budget. Members added $500,000 for biosciences research at the University of Kansas Medical Center, in Kansas City, Kan. They also deleted money for all employee pay raises, but only because they will consider raises for all state government employees later.

Sen. Henry Helgerson, D-Wichita, a Ways and Means Committee member, said that if legislators want to go beyond Sebelius’ recommendations for higher education, they will have to move toward increasing taxes.

Sebelius provided an additional $3.3 million for salary increases for university employees, but the Ways and Means Committee concluded that figure is $6 million short of what’s needed.

Also, while Sebelius proposed adding $5 million in new operating funds for the universities, the committee concluded that costs associated with health insurance and other fringe benefits for employees will increase $15 million in fiscal 2005.

In other action:

— Supporters of a bill to set minimum standards for abortion clinics told the House Federal and State Affairs Committee that current conditions endanger women’s lives. They also argued that the state regulates veterinary clinics more strictly than it does abortion clinics.

— Sebelius’ administration hardened its stance Monday in favor of issuing $465 million in bonds to shore up the state’s transportation program, but House Transportation Committee Chairman Gary Hayzlett, R-Lakin, said compromise will be needed to save road projects.

— Senate Education Committee Chairman Dwayne Umbarger, R-Thayer, said the governor’s plan for increasing spending on elementary and secondary education could be out of committee by the end of the week.

— The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on a bill that would give victims of childhood sexual abuse 30 years after their 18th birthday to seek damages.