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DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- Iowa spending on preschool programs has moved from the campaign trail to the Legislature and has emerged as the first serious budget fight lawmakers will face.

Lawmakers of both parties say the initial debate over preschool funding will come next week.

The first measure lawmakers will debate would cut $500 million in state spending over the next three years, and Democrats warned it would cut $60 million from state spending on preschool next year.

Democrats say preschool is essential for early childhood development.

Republicans says the package of proposed cuts would begin moving in the House next week.

They say the message sent by voters in the last election was that spending must be cut and that nothing should be exempt, including education.

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