INDIANAPOLIS — Top Indiana Statehouse Republicans are touting their state budget plan that increases base school funding by 2.5% percent each of the next two years as making strides toward improving teacher pay.

Republican leaders say they are also helping school districts by paying off $150 million of their teacher pension obligations and by boosting a program giving one-time stipends to teachers.

Democrats say the state could direct more money to schools by either tapping the state’s nearly $2 billion in cash reserves or suspending previously approved corporate tax cuts.

Gov. Eric Holcomb joined GOP legislative leaders Tuesday in announcing a budget deal that’s expected to be approved today (Wednesday) as this year’s General Assembly session ends.

Holcomb says the funding boost is a good immediate step while a group he appointed studies long-term ways to improve the state’s lagging teacher salaries.