A Kansas House panel is preparing to debate proposals to increase the state’s sales, gasoline and cigarette taxes.

The Taxation Committee was meeting Tuesday to continue work on plan for raising at least $406 million to close a projected budget shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Committee members planned to consider proposals from Republican Rep. Gene Suellentrop of Wichita to raise a total of $264 million during the next fiscal year.

One proposal would increase the state’s sales tax to 6.5 percent from 6.15 percent. However, the sales tax on food would drop to 5.9 percent.

Suellentrop also is proposing to raise the state’s cigarette tax by 75 cents a pack to $1.54 and boost the gasoline tax by 5 cents a gallon, to 29 cents.