A Kansas Senate committee hopes to finish work on a proposed state budget exceeding $14 billion.

The Ways and Means Committee met Wednesday to review dozens of budget issues and create a spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

The committee is considering an increase in general state aid to public schools and providing funds to cities and counties so they can keep their property taxes in check.

The budget approved by the committee will go to the full Senate for debate after the full Legislature returns next week from spring break.

The House Appropriations Committee will draft its own version of the budget and has scheduled meetings for Thursday and Friday.