Ottawa ? Taking direct aim at Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Atty. Gen. Phill Kline issued checks Wednesday to four women’s health care clinics that do not provide or advocate abortions.

Last month, Sebelius vetoed a provision in the budget that would have provided $300,000 for grants to such nonprofit clinics.

In issuing the first of four checks Wednesday, Kline said Sebelius’ veto was “disappointing,” noting that the budget for the governor’s office has increased to $14.5 million for fiscal 2005, which begins today, from less than $2.2 million in fiscal 2002. The figure counts all funding sources and reflects consolidation of several grant programs from other state agencies in Sebelius’ office.

“It rings hollow that the state doesn’t have $300,000 to help these women,” Kline said.

Speaking with reporters later, Sebelius noted the changes in how grant programs are administered and said of Kline, “He continues to use, I think, some phony budget numbers.”

The checks, worth $60,456.80, are funded by all of the state’s share of a $7.7 million antitrust settlement with Salton Inc., makers of the George Foreman Grill. Kansas was one of 47 states receiving funds, which were to be used for nutrition education programs.

Sebelius said Kline had the legal authority to make such grants, given that his office oversees charitable trusts. However, she said the programs he is funding involve “a limited constituency and very stringent rules.”

Kline issued checks worth $15,114.20 each to the LifeCare Center in Ottawa, Advice and Aid in Shawnee, Grace Center in Kansas City, Kan., and Gabriel House in Topeka. The four agencies serve about 6,500 women each year.

In selecting the four agencies — all with anti-abortion policies tied to Christian denominations — Kline said he asked his staff to look for agencies serving the greatest numbers with the greatest financial need.

The groups offer counseling, medical referrals for women and limited health care services.

“They generally are faith-based. I don’t think you can find one that is not,” Kline said. “This is consistent with my belief to support women who choose life and carrying their pregnancy to full term.”

In a message to legislators last month, Sebelius said such programs already had other sources of funding and that other health care programs were forced to compete for limited state dollars.

The House overrode Sebelius’ veto, but an override attempt fell short in the Senate.

Some legislators attributed Sebelius’ veto to abortion politics. The provision prohibited any money going to any group providing or referring women for abortions or even “educating in favor of abortion.”

Sebelius, a Democrat, is a strong supporter of abortion rights. Kline, a Republican, is a strong opponent of abortion.

But Sebelius said abortion was not an issue in her decision.

“I made a judgment about the best use of state dollars for health care needs of Kansans,” she said. “I don’t think it has anything to do with any other issue than how we get the greatest service for the dollars we spend.”

In 2001, Gov. Bill Graves vetoed a similar provision, but he and legislators later worked out an agreement to restore the funds to the budget.

Sebelius also vetoed increased funding for upgrades at the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s lab in Great Bend and additional staff for Kline to prosecute white-collar crime. Kline said he would search for funds for those operations this year.