LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill to increase allowances for blind, elderly and disabled Nebraska Medicaid recipients has cleared a first-round vote in the Legislature.

Lawmakers voted 29-12 to advance a measure by Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln that would increase the monthly amount from $50 to $60.

Opponents call the measure piecemeal Medicaid expansion and say lawmakers should instead use the money for tax cuts.

Advocates say the rate that hasn’t been adjusted for inflation in 30 years, and the bill will allow disabled recipients to buy clothing and toiletries.

Pansing Brooks says the debate lasted longer than she expected. She says opponents used the bill as a rallying cry to set a “fiscally conservative tone” for the session.