Topeka ? A bill declaring English the official language of Kansas gained final legislative approval Friday, sending the measure to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius for her consideration.

The bill had been stuck in a House-Senate conference committee for weeks, but re-emerged as the House agreed with the Senate version of the legislation on a 106-19 vote.

The House had initially put $500,000 into the bill to go toward teaching English to adults. But the Senate took those funds out of the bill.

State Rep. Candy Ruff, D-Leavenworth, said she would have preferred the funding stay in the bill, but she supported it anyway.

“There’s nothing wrong with declaring that English is the official language,” she said.

Ruff said there was still a possibility that funding could be provided for adult English classes.

Opponents of the legislation said it was an insult to immigrants who already understand the importance of learning English.

During her successful re-election campaign, Sebelius said she would support legislation making English the official state language.