Topeka ? More than two weeks after announcing her plan to increase taxes for schools, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius today set her proposal on its legislative path.

Sebelius’ plan was introduced in the Senate tax committee, which will probably hold a hearing on it next week.

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“Kansas schools are under-funded,” Sebelius said. “Underpaid teachers are leaving the classroom and thousands of struggling students are left behind,” she said.

Sebelius has proposed raising state income, sales and property taxes to fund a $304 million increase for education.

Last year, State District Court Judge Terry Bullock delcared the $2.6 billion Kansas school finance system unconstitutional because it discriminated against minorities and under-funded students in general.

He slapped the state with an interim order to fix the system by July 1.

Earlier today, the Senate Judiciary Committee recommended approval of a bill that would allow that ruling to be appealed more quickly to the Kansas Supreme Court.

“It will get the Bullock decision before the Supreme Court this spring,” state Sen. Derek Schmidt, a Republican from Independence, said.

“There’s no advantage to anybody in waiting,” until July 1, he said.

The legislation adopted by the Judiciary Committee would allow appeals of interim court orders.

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