BOISE (AP) - Republican lawmakers have voted to write a state budget based on $2.67 billion in tax revenue.

The Spokesman-Review reports the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted 16-4 on Friday to approve the budget target, which represents a 4.5 percent increase over the current year but falls about $33 million short of the governor's recommendation.

Democrats on the committee were more optimistic. Rep. Shirley Ringo of Moscow pushed for the panel to accept the governor's projection of a 5.78 percent increase next year, or $2.6 billion in tax revenue. But the motion died on a party line vote.

Sen. Shawn Keough of Sandpoint was among Republican lawmakers who urged caution given the state's sluggish economic growth. Keough says rural areas of the state are still suffering with high unemployment.