Pa. Senate approves alternative to governor's budget

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania Senate has approved a $27.7 billion state budget plan that would avoid many of the cuts Gov. Tom Corbett has proposed.

The plan penned by the Senate GOP majority was approved today by a 39-8 vote after nearly two hours of debate. The new budget year starts July 1.

The proposal would tap tax collections that are more robust than projected to increase spending by about $500 million. Corbett held open the possibility he’d support a smaller increase but said the state must save for the growing bill for public-employee pensions.

The plan would restore some cuts Corbett proposed in education and social services, but includes Corbett’s proposed elimination of a cash-assistance program for poor adults and his $275 million tax cut for businesses.