A two-year spending plan that relies on furloughing and laying off state workers, cutting aid to schools and raising taxes on large oil companies, cell phone users and the rich passed the Legislature’s budget committee early Friday morning.
All 12 Democrats on the Joint Finance Committee voted for the plan, while all four Republicans opposed it. The $63 billion budget now heads to the state Assembly, where it could be debated as early as June 9. It must pass there and in the Senate and be signed by Gov. Jim Doyle before it becomes law.