Topeka ? A group hoping to limit increases in state spending set its own spending target Tuesday, and it’s more conservative than others already outlined.

The Kansas chapter of Americans for Prosperity wants to limit the growth in spending financed by the state’s general tax dollars to 3.5 percent. Director Alan Cobb said such a figure is in line with inflation, plus the state’s annual population growth.

“It’s just managing the budget a little bit better,” Cobb said. “And we are asking legislators to make a few more difficult choices about duplication and overlap.”

The state expects to pay for about $6.1 billion in spending during the current fiscal year with general tax revenues. The total budget, including federal funds and special fees, is more than $13 billion.

Cobb said that in a few weeks his group will outline a proposed “model” budget, showing legislators how they can achieve its target.

The Americans for Prosperity proposal would require some trimming if the state were still to keep promises to public schools and other programs made in recent years.

Those promises would require the state to increase its spending of general tax revenues by almost $241 million, or about 3.9 percent, during the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

But the Americans for Prosperity proposal would set the targeted increase at about $214 million. The difference is about $27 million.

Before the session began, House Republicans set a target of 5 percent growth. That’s an increase of $306 million.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ proposed budget proposal recommends a 4.6 percent increase overall, or about $282 million.

“The budget that the governor submitted for fiscal year 2009 is quite lean,” Budget Director Duane Goossen said.

Higher power

Rep. Jim Morrison is suggesting that the state create a special license plate containing the national motto, “In God We Trust.”

The Colby Republican said he’s acting on an idea presented by his neighbors, who would like a chance to buy such a plate. Other specialized plates – extolling a favorite university, for example – cost $40.

Morrison took his suggestion to the House Transportation Committee, and it agreed to sponsor a bill.

He wasn’t worried that the proposal will attract criticism that it represents state government’s endorsement of a particular religion. He noted that the same motto appears on American money.