DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers have reached a compromise over how much the state should spend on additional funding for K-12 education for the upcoming fiscal year.
Lawmakers from the Democratic-majority Senate and Republican-controlled House voted in a special committee Tuesday for legislation that would increase spending for K-12 schools by 2.25 percent for the next academic year.
Leaders from both sides say the deal was the best option given limited funding for the upcoming budget. Some Democratic lawmakers and education groups say the proposed funding will not be enough to prevent financial hardship for school districts.
The legislation will require formal approval in both chambers before Gov. Terry Branstad can review it. Lawmakers in the split Legislature disagree often over how much money is available for K-12 education.
