Topeka ? The Kansas Senate on Tuesday again defeated a 2-percent budget cut, while a new casino gambling proposal emerged and a coalition of moderate Republicans and Democrats started to advance a school finance plan.

Key lawmakers were framing the developments as a possible way to conclude the Legislature’s first special session in 16 years. But others still saw significant roadblocks.

“In the end, something has to happen so we can just get out of here,” Sen. Jean Schodorf, R-Wichita, said as lawmakers ended their seventh day in overtime.

In casting a committee vote for the school finance plan, Sen. Greta Goodwin, D-Winfield, said the Legislature needed to conclude its business.

“It has been my experience, the longer the Legislature debates anything, the worse it gets,” Goodwin said.

Governor meets

Lawmakers came into session after the Kansas Supreme Court declared the school finance system unconstitutional and ordered an increase in school funding.

Disabled voters and advocates corral Kansas Sens. Ruth Teichman, R-Stafford, center left, and Carolyn McGinn, R-Sedgwick, center right, as the senators entered the Statehouse Tuesday in Topeka. The senators made their way through a sea of disabled voters concerned that their funding might be cut to help fund public schools.

On Tuesday, after groups of Democrats and moderate Republicans met with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, a new school finance plan took shape.

It would cost $160 million and provide about $30 million in property tax relief for poorer districts. Combined with increases already approved by the Legislature, the Lawrence school district would receive a total of $4.5 million in additional funds for the coming school year.

“If this isn’t the last plan, it almost is,” said Schodorf, who is chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee.

But some senators – Republican and Democrat – were upset that the bill didn’t provide as much funding to rural districts as an earlier-approved plan in the Senate.

And others said the state couldn’t afford the cost.

“This is an invitation to gambling,” Sen. Karin Brownlee, R-Olathe, said.

New casino plan

Brownlee’s comments came just moments after a Senate committee resurrected an expansion of casino gambling.

The proposal would allow resort-style casinos in Wyandotte County and southeast Kansas, and slots at the five pari-mutuel tracks in Kansas City, Kan., Wichita, Frontenac, Anthony and Eureka. After five years, other areas could seek casinos. The measure is expected to bring approximately $112.5 million in upfront payments.

A similar proposal failed last week in the Senate, 17-22, but gambling proponent Sen. Jim Barone, D-Frontenac, said he may have picked up some votes.

The new version increases the state’s take from slots at the tracks from 24 percent to 40 percent – a jump from $41 million to $69 million in the first year.

Two strikes

The full Senate met briefly to consider for the second day in a row a proposed $39 million cut to the state budget, about 2 percent, that would except funding to schools, debts and current social service caseloads.

The measure was defeated 18-19 on Monday.

About 40 Kansans with disabilities protested the proposal. They gave senators decks of cards and poker chips and said, “Cut the cards, not our budget.”

On Tuesday, the proposal was reconsidered and was defeated 19-19. Twenty-one votes are needed to pass anything in the 40-member Senate.

Meanwhile, the House held a committee hearing on a proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit the Kansas Supreme Court from ordering the Legislature to increase school funding.

The amendment is seen as critical for conservative Republicans who say the court overstepped its authority in ordering the Legislature to increase school funds. The measure has already gained Senate approval, but failed last week to get the necessary two-thirds majority in the House.

It is expected to be voted on again today in the full House.

One of the advocates for the disabled, Greg Jones of Parsons, said he opposed such an amendment.

He said he feared the Legislature would try to protect itself from other lawsuits that found the state not fulfilling its duties.

“Where would it stop?” Jones asked.