TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Top Republicans in the Kansas Senate say they’re rushing a stop-gap budget-balancing plan to passage because they want to ensure that the state keeps paying its bills on time.

Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Ty Masterson of Andover said during a Thursday morning meeting of fellow GOP senators that the bill tackles a projected $344 million shortfall in the state’s current budget by shuffling money around.

The GOP-controlled chamber was expected to pass the plan later Thursday and send it to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. The House approved it Wednesday on an 88-34 vote.

The measure mostly diverts money from highway projects and special funds to general government programs.

But tax collections fell short of expectations through January, and a deficit of $800,000 would remain on June 30.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans who control the Kansas Senate expect their chamber to approve a stop-gap plan for closing Kansas’ current budget deficit so that it goes to GOP Gov. Sam Brownback.

GOP senators planned to discuss the bill Thursday morning, with a vote on it by the full chamber scheduled later in the day.

The House approved the measure Wednesday on an 88-34 vote.

Republican leaders believe lawmakers need to pass the bill by Feb. 13 to ensure that the state keeps paying bills on time.

The measure attacks a projected $344 million shortfall in the current budget, mostly by diverting money from highway projects and special funds to general government programs.

But tax collections fell short of expectations through January, and a deficit of $800,000 would remain on June 30.