[from the Times-Tribune] HARRISBURG BUREAU CHIEF HARRISBURG - A key Senate committee this morning approved a $27.6 billion state budget bill that restores $500 million of proposed state spending cuts by a unanimous bipartisan vote.
The action by the Appropriations Committee sends the budget bill to a floor vote this week. But action on the final budget won't be completed until next month after the House and Gov. Tom Corbett weigh in.
The bill makes a full restoration of state funding for Pennsylvania State University and other state-related universities and the state-owned universities, therefore undoing proposed cuts made by the governor earlier this year.
The presidents of the state-related universities and chancellor of the State System of Higher Education have made a commitment to keep student tuition rates for the next academic year below the rate of inflation as a result, said Senate Appropriations Chairman Sen. Jake Corman, R-34, Bellefonte.
Reflecting increased state tax revenues in recent months due to an improving economy, the bill provides $50 million for the Accountability Block Grant program used by school districts and restores $84 million of a proposed $168 million cut to county-run human services programs.
"We have a vastly improved budget bill," said Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, who voted for it in committee.
Mr. Blake and other senators said they hope improved revenue growth in May will enable additional state aid restorations to a variety of programs in the final budget.
Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/key-senate-panel-approves-27-6-billion-budget-bill-1.1312059#ixzz1uIbSVKB4
See also commentary on the Senate's budget at Third & State.
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