Three Kansas Democrats formed the nucleus of a new nonprofit providing financial, strategic and logistical support for a year-round volunteer operation that reaches out to low-turnout voters in support of progressive candidates and issues.

In the final day, the House and Senate came together to tie up loose ends to school finance after negotiations with the governor’s office, and finalized the state budget by injecting cash into universities, increasing pay for judges and restricting the use of vaccine passports.

Lawmakers agreed to a budget deal Friday to inject cash into state universities, renovate the Docking State Office Building, increase pay for judges, restrict the use of vaccine passports, and leave the state with a $541 million reserve.

A bipartisan education bill embraced by Gov. Laura Kelly appeared headed Friday for approval as the Legislature committed the state to limiting reliance on remote instruction in public schools and to expansion of student eligibility for private school scholarships.

Rep. Randy Garber delivered an apology to American Indians during a prayer ceremony Thursday on the south steps of the Kansas Statehouse, recognizing the country’s “long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies.”