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Butler County's great daily newspaper

BALANCING ACT

Here are the details of the state budget deal struck early today between Gov. Ed Rendell and state legislative leaders:

BUDGET

4 $28.2 billion for fiscal year 2008-09, beginning Tuesday

• 3.8 percent increase over past year's spending

• Does not require any broad-based tax or fee increases

• Uses about $550 million in one-time funds to fill hole in revenues

• Does not dip into state's budget reserve to support spending

• Agreement before fiscal year's end averts threatened furloughs of 25,000 state workers

BORROWING

• $800 million from slot-machine gambling revenues for dams and water and sewer facilities

• $500 million from electric utility gross receipts tax revenue for alternative energy projects

• $800 million from general tax revenues for civic redevelopment projects

• $350 million from motorist fees and taxes to fix about 400 of the state's most dangerous bridges

ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION

• Requirement that alternative fuels be added to each gallon of diesel or gas as in-state production rises.

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