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House, Senate continue education funding negotiation

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March 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Lawmakers from the Democratic-majority Senate and Republican-controlled House remain at odds over education funding. A joint committee met Tuesday to try to hammer out a deal for a funding level for K-12 education for the upcoming academic year. But the committee did not immediately reach a resolution. House Republicans have advanced a plan that would provide about $100 million in additional funding, while Senate Democrats want to give schools over $200 million in additional funding.

Republican House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, of Hiawatha, says he’ll consider more funding if Democrats would agree to modify arbitration rules for teachers. This committee cannot directly negotiate on that, but a bill proposing some changes received approval from a House subcommittee Tuesday. Democrats are unlikely to consider any change to union rules.