U.S. Senate OKs bill to aid Pa. governments, schools

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A bill designed to help Pennsylvania avoid deeper budget cuts and more layoffs of public-sector employees in the near future is headed toward a final vote in the U.S. House.

The bill passed the U.S. Senate today, 61-39, after months of partisan wrangling. The bill is expected to deliver nearly $1 billion in recession-related aid to the Pennsylvania state treasury and school districts.

It provides a six-month extension of aid enacted in last year’s federal stimulus law to help states and schools maintain programs amid flagging tax collections. The House is expected to vote on it next week.

Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell says the money will help the state and local governments avoid thousands of layoffs. Most Republicans opposed the bill as an irresponsible bailout.