BREAKING NEWS: Senate Approves $7.7 Billion Budget

BREAKING NEWS: Senate Approves $7.7 Billion Budget

The Rhode Island Senate earlier this evening approved a new $7.7 billion state budget.

The budget—which was drafted by the House—largely does away with the major sales tax expansion proposed by Governor Lincoln Chafee. Instead it largely depends on higher-than-expected revenues and spending cuts to make up for what had been estimated at roughly a $300 million deficit.

Several attempts to amend the budget all failed. One amendment would have restored future longevity payments for state workers. Another would have essentially eliminating the minimum corporate tax.

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An exact tally of the final vote was not immediately available.

The House passed the budget last Friday. Now the spending plan goes before Governor Lincoln Chafee for his signature.

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