Topeka ? A proposed budget trimming total funding for state government by two-tenths of 1 percent advanced Thursday in the House, while a similar, $10.2 billion spending plan was before the Senate.

The House approved the bill, 116-9, containing the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Senators were to take up their measure later Thursday.

The House bill follows many of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ recommendations for agencies and programs but departs from her proposals in allocating money for programs for pre-kindergarten children.

The measure would leave the state with cash reserves of $108 million at the end of June 2005 while still providing state employees with a 3 percent pay raise.

However, both chambers expected to defer decisions on education and transportation spending — the two biggest budget issues this year — until the final days of the legislative session in early May.

“When you don’t know exactly what your revenues are going to be and there’s not extra money, the toughest decisions are put off as long as possible,” said Rep. Bill Feuerborn, of Garnett, the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.

Sebelius had wanted to spend $6.8 million for a statewide expansion of Smart Start programs, which help families of young children with services such as day care and parent education. Smart Start now receives $3.2 million and has programs in 19 counties.

The House budget increases Smart Start funding by $4.1 million. However, it also puts $2 million into so-called family preservation services, which aim to keep children out of foster care; $500,000 into mental health services for children; and $200,000 into programs for infants and toddler health.

House’s proposed budget is HB 2900.