Topeka ? 26 – The state Supreme Court has given lawmakers until April 12 to produce a constitutional school finance plan.

Thursday’s highlights:

Closed meetings last month between Atty. Gen. Phill Kline and conservative members of the State Board of Education didn’t constitute a violation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act, a prosecutor said in a 24-page report.

• The House advanced to a final vote on a state budget that would delay a 2.5 percent state employee pay raise from July 1 to March 12, 2006. It also would reduce funds to higher education that had been proposed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

Quote of the day

“To hear opponents describe it, you’d think TABOR causes everything from natural disasters to male pattern baldness.” — Barry Poulson, a supporter of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.

Today’s schedule:

1:30 p.m.: Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley unveils school finance proposal.