INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -
Indiana schools would see a slight additional funding increase under a
budget proposal from majority House Republicans.
The plan advanced
Tuesday by the GOP-controlled House Ways and Means Committee on a 15-6 vote
would increase school funding by 2.1 percent the first year and 2.2 percent
the second year of the new two-year state budget.
Gov. Eric Holcomb
had proposed 2 percent increases.
The Republican
governor and GOP legislative leaders have touted the importance of finding
ways to address Indiana’s lagging teacher salaries, but Democrats have
argued their proposals are “recession-type numbers” not even surpassing
inflation.
Education advocacy
groups estimate a 9 percent funding increase would be needed to boost
average teacher pay to the midpoint of Indiana’s neighboring states.
The House and
Senate have until late April to approve a state spending plan.