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By JOHN HANNA
Associated Press Writer

TOPEKA -- Legislators on Wednesday opened their first special session in more than 15 years with members divided over how to answer a Kansas Supreme Court mandate to spend more for public schools.

The court decreed June 3 that legislators must provide an additional $143 million by July 1, on top of the $142 million increase in education funding they approved earlier this year. The total increase ordered by the court for the next school year -- $285 million, or about 10 percent -- would push total state aid to Kansas' 300 school districts past $3 billion annually.

But some conservative Republicans contend the court doesn't have the authority under the Kansas Constitution to tell legislators exactly how much to spend, and critics of the ruling planned a ''Just Say No to Judicial Tyranny Rally.'' Among the scheduled participants was House Speaker Doug Mays, R-Topeka.

Rep. Frank Miller, another rally participant, said under the constitution, only the Legislature can appropriate money.

''Dadgummit, it's in the constitution!'' Miller said. ''This has become a national issue. We've got courts out of control all over the United States today. I hope Kansas sets an example for the rest of the nation.''

But Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, has counseled his colleagues to comply with the court order to avoid a constitutional crisis.

Sen. Pat Apple, R-Louisburg, said: ''You hear of concerns about constitutional problems, and I'm sure some of that will be brought up, but the main thing is to move a school finance plan forward. I think that's the bottom line: We do what we need to do so schools open on time.''

Legislators can provide the extra money mandated by the court for the next school year without raising new revenues thanks to more optimistic revenue projections issued last week.

But Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has called on legislators to expand gambling to support new education spending into the future.

About 20 leaders of the Junction City area were in the Statehouse to lobby legislators to include their community in any bill authorizing casinos.

On the Net:

Kansas Legislature: http://www.kslegislature.org