Topeka ? Highlights of Sunday’s activities at the Kansas Legislature:

– The House debated a $106 million school finance package drafted by Republican leaders, but tempers were short because some GOP representatives wouldn’t support it.

– A proposed constitutional amendment designed to prevent the courts from telling legislators to appropriate money failed in the House. The vote was 70-53, with supporters 14 short of the two-thirds majority they needed.

– Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius frustrated some Republicans by not advancing compacts with Indian tribes to permit casinos in Wyandotte and Cherokee counties.

Also:

– The Senate was not in session, but its members still received $82 in salary for the day and $91 to cover expenses.

Clock is ticking:

Sunday was the fifth day of the 20th special session in state history.

Meter is running:

Through Sunday, the estimated cost of the special session was $187,300, according to legislative staff. However, legislators ended this year’s regular session on May 20 with about $430,000 left in their budget.

Special Session Snippet:

The Legislature has averaged one special session every seven years since statehood in 1861. The longest gap between special sessions was 21 years, from 1966 to 1987. This year’s special session is the first since December 1989.