The Indiana House has endorsed a Republican-backed state budget plan that would modestly boost school funding, although by much less than advocacy groups and Democrats say is needed to give significant teacher pay raises.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana House has endorsed a Republican-backed state budget plan that would modestly boost school funding, although by much less than advocacy groups and Democrats say is needed to give significant teacher pay raises.

School funding would increase by just over 2 percent each of the next two years under the proposal approved Monday by a 65-32 party-line vote. Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb and GOP legislative leaders have touted the importance of addressing Indiana's lagging teacher salaries , but Democrats argue their proposals are inadequate.

House Ways and Means Committee co-chairman Todd Huston of Fishers says the plan makes the right investments and is fiscally responsible.

Democrats decried Republicans for rejecting proposals to guarantee a 5 percent teacher pay increase and expand the state-funded preschool program for poor children.