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FT. MADISON, IA. -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver has sent out his plan to keep the state on track.

Culver gave lawmakers his version of the $5.3 billion dollar state budget.  We talked to state Senator Gene Fraise, and here's what we found out for this KHQA FactFinder Report.

Governor Culver says his proposed budget will save the state about $341 million dollars.  The budget will maintain a 10% spending cut that was put in place last year, but schools will get more money.  Under the proposal, local schools would see a 2% increase for the school year.

Fraise says that money will help them deal with rising operating costs.  The proposed budget will also cut $52.5 million dollars from tax credits.  Senator Fraise tells KHQA lawmakers don't know what tax credits will be cut.

While this year's budget is more than the current budget.  Some lawmakers feel this budget is fiscally responsible.

"We will work through it and I believe at least the majority party agrees with the principal he's put out there. There'll be some massaging of that budget, but we'll make sure everything goes to the right places," said Senator Gene Fraise.

Lawmakers have until the beginning of April to pass a balanced budget.