INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Indiana Budget Director Chris Atkins is trying to convince House lawmakers that education spending in Gov. Mike Pence’s budget puts the state back on track after years of cuts.
 
  Atkins told members of the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday that the Pence plan makes education spending a priority while still finding room for a permanent tax cut.
 
  Democrats pointed out former Gov. Mitch Daniels cut $300 million from what they approved for education in previous budgets. 
 
  School spending is at the center of the state budget battle this year as lawmakers seek more for education and Pence pushes instead for a $500 million cut to the personal income tax. 
 
  House lawmakers are in the process of writing the state’s roughly $29 billion spending blueprint.