Most county legislators voted in favor to amend the state budget to fill a multimillion deficit inflicted by the pandemic.

The House approved the amendment that authorizes nearly $11 billion in new spending, bringing the current year's operating budget to $36.5 billion, an increase from last year's spending of $33.9 billion.

The Republican-controlled legislature in May approved a temporary, no-new-taxes $25.8 billion budget, as they waited to see how the economic damage from the coronavirus would unfold.

The higher spending is driven primarily by medical care for the poor, elderly and disabled.

Lawmakers voted remotely and without debate after hours of delay Friday due to an ongoing contact tracing effort, according to House Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster.

The main spending bill, Senate Bill 1350, passed the House, 104-97. Hours later, the Senate approved of the House amendments with a 31-18 vote, sending the bill to the governor's desk.

Gov. Tom Wolf has not said whether he would sign the bill, although Republicans say they worked with his office to negotiate the package.

Local House representatives voting yes include, Timothy Bonner, R-8th, Marci Mustello, R-11th, Jim Marshall, R-14th, Jeff Pyle, R-60th, and R. Lee James, R-64th.

In a statement Friday, Mustello said she applauded the legislature for producing a budget that did not raise taxes on residents.

“By standing up for taxpayers, we balanced this budget using existing resources,” Mustello said. “It is also important to note that K-12 education is fully funded and public health and safety for our frontline workers are critical to the continued COVID-19 response.”

Representatives Aaron Bernstine, R-10th, and Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, voted against the bill.

In a statement Friday, Bernstine said despite not raising taxes, his colleagues agreed to spend more money, which he believed was unfair to Pennsylvanians who are fighting to support their families.

“This is a disgrace to the hard-working people of our Commonwealth, and it's not what people sent us to Harrisburg to do,” he said. “While Harrisburg politicians continue to mislead and play games with numbers, the truth is, they voted to spend more of your money.”

Senators Joe Pittman, R-41st, and Elder Vogel Jr., R-47th, voted their approval of the House amendments. Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, voted against the motion.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.