INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Senate Republicans are set to advance a state budget plan that will show whether they've found more money to boost school funding.
The Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to vote Thursday on sending its version of a proposed two-year budget to the Republican-dominated Senate.
School funding would increase by just over 2% each of the next two years under a proposal approved in February by the Indiana House . Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb and GOP legislative leaders have touted the importance of addressing Indiana's lagging teacher salaries , but education advocacy groups estimate a 9% funding increase is needed to boost average teacher pay to the midpoint of Indiana's neighboring states.
The House and Senate have until late April to reach agreement on a new state budget.