DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Senate Democrats are again seeking to increase funding for school districts that expand public preschool for 4-year-olds. A Senate panel gave preliminary approval to a proposal Monday that seeks to expand the Iowa Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program, which was established in 2007. The legislation now moves to the Senate Education Committee. A similar bill failed to win full legislative approval last year.

Sen. Herman Quirmbach, a Democrat from Ames, introduced the bill. He says students benefit from early education and the state should help more students participate. He said the price tag for the proposal would depend on the number of new students enrolled.

Rep. Ron Jorgenson, a Republican from Sioux City, said he had not reviewed the bill, but that he was concerned about the potential cost.