TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House has rejected a bill to increase the state’s sales tax to close a projected shortfall.

House members refused Friday on a voice vote to give the measure first-round approval. The bill would have raised the sales tax to 6.85 percent from 6.15 percent.

The measure also would have dropped the sales tax rate on food to 5.9 percent and eliminated most personal income tax exemptions.

Democrats and some Republicans saw the sales tax increase as too high. And conservative Republican Rep. Mike Kiegerl of Olathe said he couldn’t vote for any tax increase until lawmakers do more to control state spending.

The House’s action is likely drag out the debate on closing a projected budget shortfall of $406 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1.