INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ The Indiana Senate has endorsed a state budget proposal that boosts school funding by 2.3 percent over the next two years while easing some cuts to districts with shrinking enrollments that were part of the House spending plan.
Senators voted 42-8 Wednesday to advance the two-year spending plan into final negotiations with House budget writers.
The Senate Republican plan spends about $31.5 billion over the next two years, with a projected state surplus of nearly $1.9 billion. Those figures are similar to what House Republicans approved in February, but the Senate phases in over five years school funding changes that direct more money to growing suburban districts.
Democrats say they hope for continued improvements in school funding as a final budget plan is developed.
