Those within the Indiana Statehouse, primarily within the Republican party in control are not showing any signs that the rally held by several thousand teachers on its doorsteps two weeks ago has swayed them to boost education funding anytime soon.

Teacher unions and Democrats are calling for the Republican-dominated Legislature to direct some of an unexpected $400 million growth in the state’s cash reserves to schools rather than adopt GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb’s proposal for using much of that money to avoid borrowing to fund several planned construction projects.

Republican legislative leaders on Wednesday made it pretty clear that they are opposing that push, arguing that it would commit the state to a higher level of school funding for future years.

Almost 300 school districts closed across the state as their teachers attended the November 19th rally, where they called for a school funding boost beyond the 2.5% increase included in the state budget in each of the next two years.

Governor Holcomb, along with other GOP legislative leaders have touted recent plans as making strides toward boosting pay. The governor said he is waiting for a commission he appointed in February to release recommendations after the 2020 legislative session on how to make long-term increases in teacher pay.