March 16-- House Republicans today proposed a 92 (m)
million-dollar school finance package, to be funded through
increases in local property taxes and savings in the state budget.

The plan would allow districts to increase funding for programs
for disadvantaged students and bilingual education. It also would
create a cost-of-living adjustment to help districts pay
competitive salaries in areas with extraordinary costs.

As promised by Speaker Doug Mays, the G-O-P plan is without a
state-wide tax increase.

The House Education Committee has scheduled a hearing Thursday
on the plan. It could be debated on the House floor next week.

Governor Sebelius says she is pleased that House leaders came
forward with a plan.

But the Democratic governor questions the decision to emphasize
local property taxes.