DENVER (AP) -- Senate President Brandon Shaffer is asking budget-makers to reduce proposed cuts to Colorado public schools by $200 million.
Shaffer says $332 million in cuts to the state share of $3.2 billion in funding proposed by Gov. John Hickenlooper is too harsh.
He said he would provide specific cuts later.
During his weekly meeting with reporters on Monday, Shaffer said many of the partisan bills have already been killed and lawmakers are now focusing on the top issues, including jobs and the economy.
Shaffer also hopes for an agreement on congressional redistricting by the end of the session in May.
Lawmakers will be at the halfway point of their 120-day session this weekend and they will begin focusing on next year's budget after they get the budget forecast March 18.
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