Senate Republicans Outbid Governor in Education Wish List

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Republicans in the Minnesota Senate want to spend more money on education than the state's Democratic governor does.

Sen. Sean Nienow says the Republican proposal would total around $450 million in extra school funding over the next two years. Gov. Mark Dayton pitched an extra $393 million, with other priorities also aimed at helping children.

The GOP senators say Democratic proposals to tie extra funding to programs like school breakfast and preschool are unwise. They'd rather let school district decide what to do with the additional money.

But Republicans are the minority party in the Senate. They'd need Democratic support to get the education proposal off the ground. The GOP senators haven't spelled out spending they'd curtail or tax cuts they'd forego to cover the costs.