Highlights of Wednesday’s activities at the Kansas Legislature:

– Legislators approved a compromise, $148.4 million school finance package, sending it to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. The votes were 75-48 in the House and 26-11 in the Senate.

– The Senate approved, 29-9, a proposed amendment to the state constitution to prevent the courts from closing schools. It failed in the House, where the vote was 74-49, with supporters 10 votes short of the required two-thirds majority.

Also:

– Sebelius said in travels across the state, Kansans told her they wanted legislators to increase spending on schools and go home.

– The House adjourned at 10:57 p.m. The Senate followed at 11:42 p.m.

Clock is ticking:

Wednesday was the 12th working day of the 20th special session in state history.

Meter is running:

The estimated cost of the special session was $532,300, according to legislative staff.

Special Session Snippet:

In 1922, voters approved $25 million in bonds to provide benefits for veterans of World War I. The next year, Gov. Jonathan Davis was forced to call a special session when state officials learned the bonds wouldn’t cover the cost. Kansans apparently learned their lesson: In 1924, they rejected a similar program for veterans of the Spanish-American War.