Pennsylvania Senate approves GOP's $3B tax

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republican lawmakers on Tuesday advanced legislation for a $3 billion tax cut, their just-unveiled counterproposal to Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro ‘s budget plan as each side offers a competing vision for how to use a massive cash surplus sitting in the state treasury.

The tax legislation cutting taxes on income and electric service passed the Republican-controlled Senate, 36-14, as Republicans positioned their top budget priority with less than two months until the new fiscal year starts on July 1.

Republicans said it would be the largest tax cut in the state’s history.

In the coming weeks, budget negotiations could revolve around Shapiro’s bid to boost spending by $3 billion, versus the Republican counterproposal to cut taxes by $3 billion. Top Democrats opposed the bill, even though it drew support from eight of 22 Democrats, and said that it won’t pass in the Democratic-controlled House.