Topeka ? On the surface, it appears the House and Senate have hit a roadblock on coming to an agreement on the budget because of differences of opinion on how much the state should be spending, and where.

While those differences exist, there also are numerous other issues swirling beneath the budget talks that must be dealt with before majorities in the House and Senate will agree on a state spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

“The final solution has got to be something not only 21 senators will support but 63 Republicans (in the House) can support and get to the governor,” House Speaker Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, said.

And many of those policy issues are ones pushed by a group of Republicans in the House.

In a news conference in his office, O’Neal outlined what measures he wants the Senate to consider. They include:

• A bill that would make it more difficult for union and labor group political action committees to raise funds from their members.

• Removing the exemption that casinos have to the state law that bans public indoor smoking.

• School bills that would allow districts to use money from special funds, such as at-risk programs and building construction, to pay for operating expenses, and require districts to report their budgets in a uniform manner.

“If we get stonewalled on some of these issues this year, they’re certainly coming back next year,” O’Neal said.

And, he said, next year those issues may not be “as tasty,” comparing the situation to a parent making a child eat for breakfast what the child refused to finish for dinner the night before.

But the Senate has approved a major piece of legislation that has so far sat in committee in the House.

That is the one that would use bonds and state gambling revenues to beef up engineering programs at Kansas University, Kansas State University and Wichita State University.

O’Neal said that measure “is in the mix for negotiation.” He noted that it is an expensive bill — allowing $195 million in bonding — and would make a substantial change in how gambling revenues are used.

On the Senate side, leaders are saying the House is trying to give them the rush act.

Earlier in the session, the House sent over a bill that would reduce corporate and individual income taxes and restrict state spending. Senate leaders say the measure is irresponsible in the face of a $500 million revenue shortfall, increasing social service caseloads, the need for more funding of the public pension system and following two years of budget cuts.

The House has twice approved a bill that would impose tougher restrictions on sexually oriented businesses. Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, said he has had no communications from law enforcement that those businesses were causing problems. And he said a similar law was passed in Missouri and has produced a unregulated, underground industry.

And there is talk among abortion opponents in the House about sending to the Senate another abortion bill — this one would require women to buy extra insurance if they wanted to be covered for abortion. The Legislature has already passed three bills increasing regulations on abortion, Senate leaders said.

“The House has developed a habit of passing bills significantly late in the session and expecting us to pass them on good faith. That’s just not the process,” said Senate Vice President John Vratil, R-Leawood.

When legislators return to the Capitol today they will have just four days left in the 90-day session.

“Time is running out on negotiations,” said Senate Majority Leader Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg.