HARRISBURG — Legislation to substantially expand support for private and religious schools is taking another step in Pennsylvania. The Senate Education Committee approved the bill Wednesday over the protests of Democrats.

It's sponsored by House Speaker Mike Turzai and passed the Republican-controlled House last month on a near-party line basis.

Turzai is expected to make it part of June's budget negotiations for the fiscal year starting July 1.

It would nearly double the Educational Improvement Tax Credit to $210 million annually and add automatic 10% increases and lift the family income eligibility limit to $95,000.

The program reimburses corporations for donating to school groups, which primarily offer private school scholarships.

HARRISBURG — A ban on Pennsylvania marriages when either party is under 18 is moving ahead with a unanimous vote in the state House of Representatives.State representatives voted 195-0 Wednesday to send the proposal to the Senate.Current state law allows those under 18 to marry if custodial parents or guardians agree, and under age 16 if a judge decides it’s in the child’s best interests.The bill’s supporters say underage marriages are often coerced and linked to domestic violence and limits on educational and economic choices.