INDIANAPOLIS (AP): The funding plan for the Indianapolis mayor's proposed preschool education initiative has stalled.

A City-County Council committee tabled Tuesday night the proposal from Republican Mayor Greg Ballard to pay for preschool scholarships to low-income families by eliminating Marion County's homestead property tax credit. That step would raise $5 million a year.

Democrats who control the council have voted repeatedly to save the property tax credit.

Ballard says his proposal is aimed at helping attack the root causes of crime as the city has faced a troubling jump in the number of homicides this year.

Ballard says he's frustrated council Democrats haven't presented an alternative funding plan.

The council last week approved a local income tax increase toward adding 150 police officers by the end of 2018.