DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Legislative leaders are back in the Iowa Capitol trying to resolve their budget differences so they can adjourn for the year. After the holiday weekend, a handful of lawmakers reported for duty Tuesday. Leaders and some committee chairs were set to continue budget negotiations.

The Republican-led House and Democratic-majority Senate must determine an overall spending level and how much new money to provide to K-12 education. Democrats are seeking to spend more than Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Democrat from Council Bluffs, says the two sides moved closer last week.

Rep. Chuck Soderberg, a Le Mars Republican who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, says they were making progress and that it was a good sign that “all parties were at the table.”