Topeka ? The House on Tuesday rejected Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ plan to spend an additional $304 million on public schools over three years through higher state taxes on sales, property and personal income.

But the chamber tentatively approved a scaled-down, one-year measure that allocates an additional $137 million in state aid to school districts — but does not specify a source for the extra funding.

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The revised bill, advanced to final action on a 73-49 vote, would also give school districts additional authority to raise their local property taxes.

Rep. Bill Mason, R-El Dorado, offered the Democratic governor’s proposal as an amendment to a minor property tax bill. Minority Democrats perceived his amendment as an attempt to embarrass Sebelius.

The vote was 71-44 against Mason’s amendment. Then, Rep. Bruce Larkin, D-Baileyville, offered the smaller plan.

“We need to do our job,” Larkin said. “We need to fix the problem areas in the formula.”

Democrats said the proposal was a step toward satisfying the concerns raised by Shawnee County District Judge Terry Bullock’s preliminary order finding constitutional flaws with the state’s school finance formula. The state filed notice Monday that it will appeal that order to the Kansas Supreme Court.

Tuesday’s school finance debate followed a 106-15 House vote to increase the $6,000 standard income tax deduction for married couples to $20,000 — a $150 million tax break.

Majority Republicans already had planned to debate a school finance bill on Wednesday, but Mason’s amendment gave the House an opportunity to debate Sebelius’ proposal — and Republicans the chance to make a political statement.

The Senate rejected Sebelius’ proposal two weeks ago, but Republican leaders there promised to begin work on a new school finance plan.

Minor property tax changes are HB 2560.

On the Net:

Kansas Legislature: http://www.kslegislature.org