ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota lawmakers are starting to turn toward handling a $900 million budget surplus.

The Republican-controlled House was set to take the first turn Monday with a budget for public schools and universities. It's the first in a series of slim spending packages in the House as legislative leaders aim to save the surplus for tax cuts and road and bridge repairs.

It would add an extra $55 million to public school funding to boost teacher diversity and some early learning programs. That's less than half the size of the Democratic majority Senate's plan. A vote was expected later Monday.

House Democrats call it a missed opportunity. House Minority Leader Paul Thissen says the Legislature should tap the surplus to boost preschool options and offer tuition relief to college students.

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