Republican Senators have made dozens of changes to the budget they unveiled last week, with a final vote by the full Senate likely Wednesday. Senators eliminated language that would have banned using state money on any projects that require specific agreements negotiated with unions – that ban had angered Democrats. But state agencies would have to hold public hearings when so-called Project Labor Agreements are involved. Senators also brought back the $60 million dollar a year Historic Preservation Tax Credit, and increased per-pupil funding for school vouchers. They’re are requiring the prisons department to study converting a prison into a facility for inmates with substance abuse issues. And there’s a 50 cent cap on the tax on so-called premium cigars. Democrats, who offered up 500 amendments before the initial budget proposal, could propose a few dozen amendments before it’s voted on in the Finance Committee. Though an increase in the state’s 20 cent per barrel tax on oil and
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