Democrats: Iowa school leaders want more education spending

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Democratic lawmakers say more than 200 Iowa school superintendents oppose Gov. Terry Branstad's education spending plan.

House and Senate Democratic leaders released data Thursday from an online survey sent to officials in Iowa's 338 school districts. Only one of those who answered thought Branstad's proposed funding level was adequate.

Branstad's $3 billion school budget offers about $100 million in new school funding, though much of it is earmarked for specific programs. The budget includes about $35 million more in general support for K-12 public schools.

Democratic Sen. Herman Quirmbach, chairman of the Senate education committee, says Branstad's budget didn't include enough school funding. Democrats haven't released a counter proposal.

Republican House Speaker Kraig Paulsen says superintendents consistently seek more funds each year. He declined to comment further on the survey.