Top Indiana Republicans are touting their state budget plan that increases base school funding by 2.5% percent each of the next two years as making strides toward improving teacher pay.

Governor Eric Holcomb joined state Republican legislative leaders Tuesday to announce a budget deal that's expected to be approved Wednesday as this year's General Assembly session.

Republican leaders said they are also helping school districts by paying off $150 million of their teacher pension obligations and boosting a program that gives one-time stipends to teachers. They calculate that various program funding increases will lead to a 4.5% increase in money to schools, however that will vary greatly by district, and includes funding increases for the state's private school voucher program and charter schools.