TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans pushed the Kansas Legislature on Wednesday toward passing an increase in spending on public schools that even some GOP lawmakers acknowledge might not be enough to satisfy a court mandate.

The Senate approved a bill , 23-16, that would phase in an education funding increase of $230 million over two years. The House has its own GOP-backed plan that would phase in a $285 million increase, and legislative negotiators are likely to draft a final plan, starting this week.

Minority Democrats have argued more money is necessary to comply with a Kansas Supreme Court rul...