Pa. Senate GOP's budget bill advances to floor

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s state-supported universities, struggling public schools, hospitals, nursing homes and people who depend on county-run social services all would see a benefit from a budget bill on track for Senate approval.

The bill won unanimous approval from the Senate Appropriations Committee on today, the first time that’s happened in recent memory. Still, Democrats tried unsuccessfully to put in another $250 million for social services, child-care services and a temporary cash assistance program for poor adults.

The budget would continue Gov. Tom Corbett’s elimination of the cash assistance program and a $275 million tax reduction for businesses while easing some cuts for hospitals and nursing homes.

Overall, the $27.7 billion proposal represents a 2 percent increase over this year and Corbett’s February proposal. His administration is cool to it.