NICHOLAS CLAYTON, Associated Press
JOHN HANNA, Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Doubts are growing that Kansas legislators can pass a plan for raising taxes to avoid balancing the state budget with deep spending cuts.

Lawmakers on Tuesday canceled a full day’s worth of public negotiations over tax proposals.

Three senators and three House members were supposed to meet Tuesday morning but postponed talks three times before canceling them in the evening.

The Republican-dominated Senate approved a bill Sunday that would increase sales and cigarette taxes to help raise $423 million during the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Many members of the GOP-controlled House don’t think the measure would pass their chamber. But House Republicans are deeply divided over alternatives.

Budget Director Shawn Sullivan has told lawmakers that failing to pass a tax plan will likely force $400 million in spending cuts.