Pa. budget bill passes state Senate

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A belt-tightening $28 billion budget bill is on its way to the Pennsylvania House after passage by the state Senate.

The 37-to-13 vote today kept the bill on track for final approval before the state’s fiscal year ends at midnight.

The deal adds $250 million in basic-education funding without raising new taxes.

It also spreads cuts widely across state government and would result in an unspecified number of government worker layoffs.

The House will have to waive its 24-hour notice rule in order to vote on the budget today.