Kansas legislators are focusing in on raising the state’s sales tax to solve budget problems.

Debates on tax issues were expected Thursday in both the House and Senate.

There is a plan in each chamber for increasing the sales tax from 5.3 percent to 6.3 percent. Both were drafted by coalitions of Democrats and moderate Republicans.

The Senate’s plan would raise $350 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The House plan was expected to raise about $300 million.

In each chamber, the bipartisan coalition wants to prevent further cuts in social services and aid to Kansas’ public schools.

Each chamber has drafted a budget of $13.6 billion for the next fiscal year. Neither spending plan balances without higher taxes.