Topeka ? A House committee has endorsed a $1.72 billion higher education budget that closely resembles Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ proposal.

The plan approved by the Appropriation Committee on Friday would increase spending for public universities, community colleges and vocational schools by $17.1 million — about 1 percent — in the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Committee members offered relatively little criticism of Sebelius’ plan but added about $2.5 million to correct what they perceived as flaws.

For example, they worried that the governor’s proposals could lead to staff layoffs at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan.

Next week, the committee is to consider a $10.2 billion budget for all of state government for the 2005 fiscal year.

The House committee’s critique of Sebelius’ higher education proposal was mild compared to the reviews it received in the Senate Ways and Means Committee last month.

While endorsing most of Sebelius’ plan, the Senate committee issued a report saying it provided $24 million less than universities would need to fund existing operations and give employees a 3 percent raise that Sebelius promised.

A report accompanying the House committee’s effort contained no such statements.

“Of course, everybody would like more money,” Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, who is also an associate vice provost at the University of Kansas, said after the committee’s meeting. “You sort of felt, looking at the budget, that the governor did the best she could with what we have.”

Chairman Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, said the endorsement reflected tight revenues more than general satisfaction with Sebelius’ proposals.

The committee added $1 million for the Medical Center, noting that tuition covers only 6 percent of the money for its teaching programs. In contrast, tuition accounts for 27 percent of the money for the University of Kansas’ main campus in Lawrence.

The panel also added $500,000 each for agricultural research programs at Kansas State University and aviation research programs at Wichita State University, and $450,000 for a program that helps people without education degrees become teachers.

On the Net:

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

Board of Regents: http://www.kansasregents.org/