Topeka ? House Democratic Leader Dennis McKinney on Thursday defended Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ education proposal and said he was disappointed Republicans didn’t allow a debate on school finance last week in the House.

“Healthy debate on school finance requires that we begin discussing it now and not put it off until late in the session,” said McKinney, of Greensburg.

McKinney See McKinney’s chat transcript More stories on school finance

“We started to debate school finance last week, and after only a brief debate and before we could take a vote the majority leader adjourned the session. I was disappointed because I thought that was a good time to start the serious discussions to address school finance,” he said.

McKinney’s comments came as he fielded questions from the public during an online chat at www.ljworld.com.

Sebelius has proposed increases in state sales, income and property taxes to fund a $304 million increase in public schools over three years.

Last week, several House members tried to amend another education bill with a slimmed-down version of the governor’s proposal, but Republican legislative leaders shut down debate with a parliamentary move.

House Speaker Doug Mays, R-Topeka, said legislators were getting testy and the amendment was not a proper way to handle school finance.

The amendment was supported by Democrats and some Republicans from Johnson County, where school districts are clamoring for more state aid.

In his online chat, McKinney said it would take a coalition of Democrats and Republicans to pass a school plan. Republicans outnumber Democrats 80-45 in the House and 30-10 in the Senate. Sebelius is a Democrat.

During the chat, McKinney also expressed support for legislation allowing Kansans to carry concealed weapons and a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.

He also said he supported allowing House votes on proposals to expand gambling, although he personally doesn’t endorse the plan.

“Some of the key values that have been held dearly in Kansas for a long time are hard work, saving and investment; the idea that we put aside something today so our children and grandchildren will have something more tomorrow,” he said. “To me, expanding gaming is inconsistent with those values.”