Topeka ? Several hundred people rallied today outside the Capitol in support of services and funding for Kansans with disabilities as the Legislature convened its wrap-up session.

“There are still many needs left,” said Shannon Jones, spokeswoman for the Big Tent Coalition, which represents 85 groups statewide.

Groups representing the elderly and Kansans with disabilities said they were generally satisfied with the proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

But with a court decision looming on school finance, the groups said they feared any funding increases for education would come out of the budget for social services.

“We will not be pitted against one another,” Jones said.

Bob Mikesic, advocacy and American with Disabilities Act coordinator for Independence Inc. in Lawrence, was distributing literature at the event.

“We don’t want to take money away from anything that is needed in the state budget, but if the Legislature needs more funding for schools, we don’t want that taken away from social services,” Mikesic said.

The Big Tent Coalition was formed three years ago during tough economic times to protect state funding and programs for low-income Kansans with disabilities. Members have staged several rallies and overnight campouts on the Capitol grounds.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was scheduled to speak to the group later today.