Topeka ? Two Kansas education groups and a school superintendent have urged a legislative committee to raise taxes.

The Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee heard testimony Thursday on a bill raising the state sales and tobacco taxes.

Superintendent Mike Mathes (MA’-thuhs) said the Seaman district north of Topeka may lay off teachers and increase class sizes if state aid is cut further.

Lobbyists for the Kansas Association of School Boards and the Kansas-National Education Association said new revenues would prevent damaging cuts.

The bill would raise the 5.3 percent sales tax to 6.3 percent for three years. It would also raise the cigarette tax by 55 cents a pack, to $1.34.

The committee expects to vote on the bill next week.