HARRISBURG (AP)---A key legislative committee has endorsed a Senate-approved $27.7 billion dollar state budget on Monday.

The Republican majority on the House Appropriations Committee voted 21 to 14 after blocking a series of Democratic amendments

Republicans ruled the amendments out of order because they would increase state spending by about $300 million dollars more than is expected to be available July first.

Democrats say the money will be available and will save kindergarten programs at schools, day care, hospitals, and nursing homes that would otherwise be cut.