Topeka ? Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee approved a state budget for next year that would trim public school funding by $26 million.

Democrats blasted the proposed cuts to schools as mean and unnecessary.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius issued a statement saying if enacted, the proposal would result in teacher layoffs, jeopardize the state’s ability to draw down millions of dollars in federal stimulus funds and risk re-opening a school finance court battle.

“I urge the Legislature to work with me on responsible budget solutions that protect our investment in education,” Sebelius said. Sebelius has recommended a budget that would keep per student expenditures at current levels for two years.

But Republicans said the cuts were fair and denied they would endanger federal funding.

“While cuts to all areas were unavoidable, education received the smallest reduction of any state agency,” said Appropriations Chairman Kevin Yoder, R-Overland Park.

The budget fight will move to the full House later in the week.

The battle over school funding was included in the Appropriations Committee bill that spends $6.15 billion. The Senate still must complete its work on its version.

“The big challenge we have going forward is: How do we balance this budget and how do we make Kansas better going forward?” said Yoder.

Except for education, legislators are following much of Sebelius’ recommendation to use federal stimulus money to shore up the budget for fiscal year 2010.

The biggest change approved Tuesday was a $26 million reduction in the state’s aid to public schools. Republicans had tried to get the cut in the 2009 budget, but Sebelius vetoed it.

Legislative researchers project that the state will end fiscal 2010 with a $682 million deficit if it attempts to duplicate the current budget, as recently revised by Sebelius and legislators.

The House panel also reduced expected revenues by $50 million that was to come from new casino complexes in Sumner and Wyandotte counties. Proposals for those projects were withdrawn by developers. Applications are being accepted for those projects again, but legislators aren’t counting on the $25 million privilege fee for either as they prepare the budget.

Democrats also failed to amend the bill to include some $20 million in additional funds for social services. Republicans said the additions would have forced cuts in other areas to keep the state from ending with a deficit.

However, social services increases are likely to resurface when legislators consider their final catch-all spending bill after they return from recess in April. At that time, they will have revised revenue projections indicating how the economy is doing.