TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas House committee has rejected a second proposal to increase the state’s sales tax by a full penny to help close a budget shortfall.

The Taxation Committee was debating other alternatives Tuesday to the measure from Republican Rep. Marc Rhoades of Newton.

The panel rejected Rhoades’ proposal on a 9-11 vote. It would have increased the sales tax to 7.15 percent from 6.15 percent but dropped the rate to 5.9 percent for food products.

The committee is drafting a plan to erase a projected $406 million budget deficit for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

The panel will now consider a third proposal, which would restore some taxes to small businesses and raise the sales tax by a lower rate.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas House committee has rejected a conservative lawmaker’s proposal to increase the state’s sales tax by a full penny on the dollar to help close a budget shortfall.

But the Taxation Committee was debating other alternatives Tuesday to the measure from Republican Rep. Steve Brunk of Wichita.

Brunk’s plan failed on a voice vote. It would have increased the sales tax to 7.15 percent from 6.15 percent.

The committee is drafting a plan to erase a projected $406 million budget deficit for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Brunk’s plan also would have dropped the state’s lowest personal income tax rate to 2.55 percent from 2.7 percent and preserved an income tax exemption for business owners and farmers.

The committee approved a bill Monday to repeal the exemption.