Topeka ? The Kansas House today rejected a bill that would have produced a nearly $300 million budget hole by cutting taxes and increasing school funding.

The measure failed in final action 51-71.

AP story: House rejects school finance/ tax cut bill More school finance stories

On Tuesday, the House had voted in favor of the proposal, 73-49 after numerous amendments were added to a routine property tax bill.

But today, several House members said it would have been irresponsible to advance the fiscally out-of-balance bill to the Senate.

The measure would have put in place the first year of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ three-year school finance measure. That would have cost $135 million, but the House rejected a move to increase taxes to pay for that increase.

The bill also would have increased the standard state tax deduction for married couples from $6,000 to $20,000 — a $150 million tax break.

In addtion, the proposal would have allowed local school districts to raise more funds for schools from local property taxes and guaranteed that the minimum starting salary for a public school teacher would be $30,000 per year.

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