Arkansas lawmakers have advanced legislation outlining the state's $4.9 billion budget for the coming year.
The Senate voted 28-6 on Monday and approved the proposed Revenue Stabilization Act. The House later on Monday voted 80-15 for an identical measure that sets the state's spending priorities based on expected revenues.
Both chambers are scheduled to vote once more on the budget legislation Tuesday before wrapping up this year's session.
The proposal calls for increased spending for Arkansas' Medicaid program and public schools. It also includes funding for a 2 percent cost-of-living raise for state employees.
The budget won approval days after lawmakers passed a plan to use federal Medicaid dollars to purchase private insurance for thousands of low-income residents.
