Topeka ? The Kansas Senate today rejected a bill that would have allowed Douglas County residents to vote on a sales tax increase for public schools.

State Sen. Mark Buhler, R-Lawrence, said the legislation was the product of frustration with inadequate school financing.

On school funding, Buhler said, “I see nothing but caution lights and stop lights, and I’m getting tired of it.”

But opponents of the measure said it would be unfair to counties that couldn’t afford to increase sales taxes for schools.

“It only exacerbates the situation we are in,” state Sen. Janis Lee, a Democrat from Kensington, said.

An amendment to add Wyandotte County to the bill was defeated and then on a voice vote, the Senate rejected the legislation carried by Buhler.

The bill would have allowed Douglas County voters to consider a countywide half-cent sales tax increase for schools.

It would have generated $5.9 million, including more than $4.2 million for Lawrence public schools.

For more on this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s Journal-World.