Legislators are one step from beginning negotiations over how Kansas will spend some $14 billion on government programs in the next fiscal year.

The Senate is scheduled to take final action Thursday on its version of the bill after debating the measure for nearly five hours Wednesday.

The House gave final approval to its version of the budget Wednesday.

Both bills generally follow spending recommendations laid out by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. Each would spend some $6 billion in general state revenues and $8 billion from federal funds and other sources in each of the next two years.

Negotiator will try to forge a compromise on spending priorities before legislators are scheduled to take a one-month break starting in early April.