Topeka ? More funds for all-day kindergarten, healthcare and higher education were among some of the proposals made today by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

Sebelius released her budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. The document is usually used as the basis for legislative discussion, although it is sure to be altered by lawmakers.

Fueled by higher-than-expected state tax collections, Sebelius was able to increase funding in several areas, her budget director Duane Goossen said.

He said the recommended budget increases were “fairly modest, but targeted toward some key things.”

Among the proposed increases were:

¢ $15 million to start a five-year phase-in of all-day kindergarten statewide. Approximately one-third of kindergarten students in Kansas attend half-day.

¢ $30 million increase in operating grants for the state’s public universities.

¢ $4 million in state funds to guarantee health coverage for uninsured children up to age 5.

¢ $3.2 million to allow free state park admissions.

The plan also calls for a reduction in the corporate franchise tax.

The proposal, however, contains nothing on the issue of a backlog of infrastructure repairs at universities.

Sebelius has said she will propose a plan later this month on the estimated $727 million in repairs.

The spending plan also is silent in the area of universal health care coverage.

Sebelius told lawmakers in her State of the State address on Wednesday that they should work towards that goal.

“There has to be a lot of discussion ahead on that,” Goossen said.