By Senate rules, the Senate is required to consider the bill on three separate days. The bill is now on the Senate calendar for second consideration. It will likely be considered a second time and referred back to the Appropriations Committee to be amended.

Advocates Supporting Multiple Issues Push For More State Spending 

As state elected officials race to finalize the budget by June 30, many groups are raising concerns about proposed funding cuts.

The Save Our Homes Coalition joined the Philadelphia Court of Common Please Mortgage Foreclosure Steering Committee in holding a press event to urge Governor Corbett and members of the General Assembly to continue funding the Homeowners' Emergency Assistance Program (HEMAP) in the fiscal year 2011-12 spending plan.

Members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) held umbrellas and sang "It's Raining Now! Spend the Surplus!" at the state capitol on Thursday. The participants were sending the message that the state revenue surplus of over 1/2 billion dollars should be spent now and not put in a Rainy Day Fund.

Representatives from ADAPT held an overnight protest against budget cuts to disability services last Monday.

City Council Approves Plan To Raise $53 Million For School District

At the committee level, Philadelphia City Council approved a plan, primarily based on a 1-year, 3.85% property tax, to generate $53 million in revenue for the School District. The plan would also use funds from the city's surplus and raise parking meter rates, to raise $53 million to contribute to the Philadelphia School District's $629 million budget hole. A final vote on the plan is scheduled for Thursday.