Branstad?s preschool plan attached to budget bill

DES MOINES (AP) ? House Republicans tried on Tuesday to get Gov. Terry Branstad?s proposal to replace a statewide preschool system with a scholarship program approved by tacking the plan onto a $792 million education bill.

The measure, which would fund Iowa?s three public universities, community colleges and other areas, was amended to include Branstad?s preschool plan. The House approved the bill on a vote of 55-42.

Branstad?s plan, which would cut preschool funding from $70 million to $43 million, was previously approved by the House but stalled in the Senate, where Democratic leaders are unwilling to accept major cuts to the program.

The House?s plan would create a new line item for the preschool program and fund it at $33.6 million.

Rep. Tyler Olson, a Cedar Rapids Democrat, criticized the proposed change.

?This will have an impact on Iowa kids,? Olson said. ?There?s going to be fewer spots available for quality, results-based early childhood education.?

And Rep. Cindy Winckler, a Davenport Democrat, said preschool and higher education are key to building a workforce and creating jobs as the state looks to expand its economy.

?The Republican plan will kick thousands of kids out of preschool and put higher education out of reach for too many families,? Winckler said. ?Iowa?s middle class deserves better.?

The $792 million is about $43 million, or 5.5 percent less, than in the current year. The House also approved $804 million for the following year.

Democrats said the decreased funding will mean higher tuition at Iowa?s three state universities and its community colleges.

The bill?s manager, Republican Rep. Cecil Dolecheck of Mount Ayr, acknowledged that many lawmakers would like to spend more on education, but said voters showed they supported the move in the last election by electing so many Republicans.

?Taxpayers sent a pretty good message in the last election that they don?t want a lot of spending,? Dolecheck said.