JOHN HANNA, AP Political Writer
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Top Republican lawmakers in Kansas say their new education funding proposal would significantly boost aid to public schools.

The House and Senate budget committee chairmen unveiled the plan Thursday during a Statehouse news conference.

Figures from legislative researchers showed that total aid would rise to $4.2 billion for the 2016-17 school year, or almost 9 percent more than during the 2013-14 school year.

The plan would replace the state’s current formula for distributing aid to schools with “block grants” for districts based on their current aid. GOP leaders said it’s designed to provide stable funding while lawmakers write a new formula.

But GOP leaders aren’t saying how they’d pay for the higher spending. The increase also covers contributions for teacher pensions that have risen in recent years.