(PROVIDENCE- AP) A key Rhode Island legislative committee has voted to approve a nearly $9 billion state budget.
The House Finance Committee voted 14-2 around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. Republican Reps. Patricia Morgan and Antonio Giarrusso both voted no.
The proposed budget contains no new taxes or fees except for a new medical marijuana plant tagging fee, which has been scaled back to about $25 to cover the cost of the regulatory system.
Under the plan, most everyone who receives a pension will get a break on their first $15,000 in retirement income, the corporate minimum tax will be reduced from $450 to $400 to help businesses and beach fees will be cut by almost half.
The spending plan will head to the full House for a vote next Wednesday.
