ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota would spend about $179 more on each student under an education funding plan from House Republicans.

The bill released Tuesday includes a bump of a little over a half percentage point in general education funding to schools for each of the next two years. That's less than Democrats in the governor's office and state Senate want.

Schools like formula increases because they can spend the money without conditions.

House Republicans are also passing on Gov. Mark Dayton's $343 million plan to offer voluntary preschool across the state. House Education Finance Committee Chairwoman Rep. Jenifer Loon wants about $40 million more for early learning scholarships and other help instead.

The Republican plan is one volley in budget negotiations that will play out over the final weeks of the legislative session.

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