The Kansas House has begun debate on a budget-balancing bill. That came after Senate leaders Wednesday postponed a debate on their own measure for preventing a deficit.

House members opened the discussions late Thursday morning, as about 300 city officials gathered at the Statehouse. Cities and counties are upset about provisions on both chambers' bills to cut the aid they receive from the state.

Senators pushed back their debate until Tuesday, called the Senate proposal incomplete. And some Republicans complained about "a rush job."

Gov. Sebelius and legislators are trying to prevent the state from ending its current fiscal year on June 30 with a budget deficit -- prohibited by the Kansas Constitution.