TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas House leaders are urging the Senate to pass a budget to avoid state worker furloughs.

Administration officials have said that nonessential state workers would be furloughed if a budget is not signed by Sunday. The House approved a budget Wednesday requiring tax increases to balance. The Senate has not debated a comprehensive budget proposal since March.

House Speaker Ray Merrick said Friday that state workers should not be furloughed because the Senate stalled its budget talks. Fifty-four of the House’s 97 Republicans signed the statement.

Republicans have been sharply divided over measures to fill a shortfall initially projected at $800 million in the fiscal year beginning July 1. Senate leaders have said they could consider a proposal to balance the budget through a 5.9 percent across-the-board cut.