Republicans rejected several attempts by Democrats Wednesday to increase pre-k funding as they voted down proposed amendments to the budget.
One Democratic amendment to the budget bill would have doubled pre-k funding from 10 to $20 million a year – which was Gov. Eric Holcomb's proposal. It was defeated. Another increased funding to $40 million was also defeated.
Sen. Karen Tallian (D-Portage) proposed capping the state's school voucher program at $150 million a year. Voucher spending is projected to increase to $167 million in the new budget.
"We can use this money for pre-K for more kids instead of going to vouchers for a few kids," Tallian says.
Senate budget author Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville) opposed Tallian's amendment and defended the voucher program's spending.
"This has been such a great stimulus for the public schools to improve themselves," Kenley says.
Republicans rejected almost all Democratic budget amendments, including proposals to raise the minimum wage, enact redistricting reform, and create a bias crimes law.