The Kansas House of Representatives failed to pass a bill that would increase pensions for retired teachers and state workers.

House members originally rewrote the bill to include a three percent increase in pensions, but voted to return the measure to the Appropriations Committee because of the plan's potential cost.

Under the increase, the state would pay an additional $19 Million in benefits during the fiscal year beginning July 1st.

About 69,000 Kansas receive benefits from the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System each month.