Topeka ? The cost of repairs at state higher education facilities has increased another $150 million.

The six regents universities, including Kansas University, had pegged the cost of deferred maintenance at $727 million.

But the state’s 19 community colleges just completed a study to put a cost on their repair bills.

The damage: $149.5 million.

That brings the total pricetag to $876.5 million, and growing each year.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and legislators have declared the backlog of repairs a major priority during the current legislative session.

Sebelius said she will have a proposal to address the issue by the end of this month. Senators have formed a task force to make a recommendation too.