Indiana State House of Representatives. (Photo provided)

INDIANAPOLIS — The state of Indiana collected nearly $300 million more last year than expected and there is no shortage of suggestions on how to spend it.

The Indiana House approved a surplus spending bill Monday; it now goes to the Senate.

Republicans plan to use it to pay cash for higher education building projects that were approved in the last budget.

Democrats’ proposals include money to expand pre-K education, boost teacher pay, lower prescription drug costs and fund more school safety programs.

But House GOP fiscal leader Tim Brown (R-Crawfordsville) says the state already decided how to prioritize its dollars in the 2019 budget.

However, Representative Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) says new money should mean new plans.