TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Top Republicans in the Kansas Senate are defending their proposal to cut aid to public schools as part of a larger plan to balance the state budget through June 2019.

Senate President Susan Wagle of Wichita, Vice President Jeff Longbine of Emporia and Majority Leader Jim Denning of Overland Park said Tuesday that they’re trying to find a permanent solution to the state’s budget woes. Senate committees endorsed bills Tuesday that would increase personal income taxes to raise $660 million over two years, and cut aid to public schools $128 million by July.

The education cuts help head off a shortfall in the current budget while lawmakers consider tax increases to plug future budget gaps.

Wagle said, “We’re under water, and I can’t backdate a tax plan.”