Sprawling rural school districts with long bus routes for students would get help with transportation costs under a bill that cleared a House committee. Under the bill, the state would spend 11 million dollars next year, with the money going to schools with the biggest busing budgets. Representative Walt Rogers, a Republican from Cedar Falls, says some districts will get tens of thousands of dollars next year.

Representative Cindy Winckler, a Democrat from Davenport, says a one year commitment isn’t enough.

The Davis County District will pay close to 700-dollars per student THIS year to bus kids to school. Last year, the Iowa Senate endorsed a long-term plan for the state to pick up more school transportation costs. The bill with just one year’s worth of bus money for Iowa schools is now eligible for debate in the full House.