Topeka ? More than half of Kansas’ 40 state senators have signed a petition supporting Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ proposal to more than triple spending on Smart Start programs for young children.

Sen. John Vratil said Monday he had gathered 25 signatures in hope of persuading the Senate Ways and Means Committee to endorse Sebelius’ proposal to spend $10 million for Smart Start in the fiscal year that starts July 1.

The program helps families children age birth to 5 with services such as parent education and day care.

Smart Start programs are currently offered in 19 counties, financed by $3.2 million from Kansas’ share of the 1998 settlement between states and big tobacco companies. Sebelius wants to use an additional $6.8 million in tobacco funds to expand Smart Start throughout Kansas

“We think it’s not being adequately funded,” Vratil, R-Leawood, said Monday.

Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, did not sign the petition but said he expects the panel to endorse the governor’s proposal.

But some House members have other ideas for spending the $6.8 million that Sebelius wants to use from the tobacco settlement.

Last week, the House Appropriations Committee voted to put an additional $4.3 million into Smart Start, while adding $500,000 to children’s’ mental health services and $2 million to a program that helps keep troubled families intact.

Rep. Brenda Landwehr, who chairs a subcommittee on social services funding, said Appropriations Committee members did not oppose Smart Start but felt that other, worthy programs also needed additional funds.

“We still want to expand Smart Start,” said Landwehr, R-Wichita.