Republicans want to change school funding timing DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican lawmakers said Thursday that they were working on a measure to change the rules governing when the Legislature determines Iowa school funding. The Democratic-controlled Senate has approved a plan to boost school funding by 4 percent for the coming year, but the plan is facing opposition from the Republican-majority House, which favors considering Gov. Terry Branstad's school reform plan before dealing with general school aid.