DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ Republican legislators have unveiled a proposed budget that would force state workers to pay $200 a month toward the cost of their health care coverage.
    
House Speaker Kraig Paulsen says Thursday that's less than most Iowan must pay for health insurance, and it's only fair that state workers share in the burden. He concedes that the contract the state has with its unions would have to be modified to make the change.
    
Danny Homan, who heads the largest union representing state workers, says he has no intention of opening that contract for more discussion. He notes the contract is binding until the summer of 2013.
    
The Republican budget is for the year beginning in July. It calls for spending just over $6 billion, a 1 percent increase.