DES MOINES (AP) — The Democrat-controlled Iowa Senate on Wednesday approved a $187 million plan to boost school funding for the coming school year, despite Republican Gov. Terry Branstad’s request that lawmakers pass his education reform plan before dealing with general support.

Under the plan approved by the Senate, state support for schools would increase by 4 percent, or $135 million, and money would be allocated from a budget surplus fund to prevent local property tax hikes for schools.

“Four percent is what they need in order to do their duty to their kids,” said the plan’s sponsor Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, who said that without this funding for supplies, facilities and teachers, schools may have to make cuts such as layoffs. “Our children deserve it, our school districts need it.”