DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa lawmakers are trying to move toward a compromise deal on education funding that could help them resolve the budget for the next fiscal year. Legislative leaders said Thursday they are talking about education funding, which has been a key sticking point in the budget process. A deal may include a budget increase in basic aid for K-12 schools, as well as a one-time payment.

House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, a Hiawatha Republican, said conversations were underway. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Democrat from Council Bluffs, said lawmakers were “making progress.”

The potential compromise could work because schools would get the overall funding sought by Democrats but because some of the money is a one-time appropriation, the Republican-controlled House would be sticking to a pledge to contain ongoing costs.