Lawmakers have broadly expressed concerns that the more-than $250 million school funding boost per year would be unaffordable with a widening state deficit.

An Alaska House panel on Wednesday advanced an education measure with a reduced school funding boost and education reforms to the House floor. House Bill 69 was introduced in January by members of the Democrat-dominated majority.

The bill’s sponsor called it a “wonderful compromise.” It boosts the largest part of the state’s public school funding formula by $1,000.