Pa. House Approves $28.3 Billion GOP Budget
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A $28.3 billion state budget plan shaped by Republicans who control Pennsylvania's House of Representatives is on its way to the Senate.
The House voted 108-92 Wednesday after nearly five hours of sharply partisan debate.
Republican leaders said the package increases spending by more than a half-billion dollars, benefiting a wide array of programs without increasing taxes.
The Democratic minority contrasted a proposed $300 million-plus tax break for businesses with a $100 million boost in public school funding that critics say would fall far short of what many school districts need to overcome serious financial problems.
Democrats also blamed Republicans for Pennsylvania's failure to accept a federally funded Medicaid expansion that proponents say would provide health care to a half-million uninsured residents.
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