HARRISBURG — Optimism coursed through the halls of the Pennsylvania Capitol on Thursday evening that the politically divided Legislature would bring an end to the 100-day state budget stalemate within 24 hours.

Key bills were readied for votes today in the Senate after a day of committee meetings, bill drafting and Gov. Ed Rendell's top aides shuttling between the offices of top legislators.

"I think we have a room full of people that have stopped fighting each other and are fighting to get it done," Rendell's chief of staff Steve Crawford said.

Amid the optimism, citizen advocates and charities that deliver many of the state's social services marked the 100th day of the stalemate by saying they would seek assurances that it does not happen again.

With billions of dollars in state subsidies held up, school districts, counties and the private organizations and businesses that deliver many of Pennsylvania's social services are borrowing money to pay bills. Some of the social service groups have closed, while others have laid off workers.

"This clearly is no way to run a state government," said Barry Kauffman, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania.

Ready for a vote today in the Senate was a $27.8 billion appropriations bill and a companion bill that would tap more than $1.5 billion in reserves to help fill Pennsylvania's huge recession-driven shortfall.

The appropriations bill, which would cut state spending by more than 1 percent, needs Senate approval before going to Rendell's desk. The companion measure requires the approval of both chambers.

On Thursday, previously approved legislation that would raise nearly $500 million in new taxes on sales of cigarettes and little cigars and on businesses that pay the capital stock and franchise tax landed on the governor's desk. He plans to sign it.

"I think it's almost complete, to be honest with you," said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman, R-Centre. "If all goes well and the agreement holds, the governor will have all the things he needs to sign a budget (today)."

On Thursday night, House Speaker Keith McCall, D-Carbon, was working to resolve what officials say were the final details. After two previous agreements announced in recent weeks fell apart, legislators were shy about predicting a third and final deal.

"I'm not going to say the 'd-word,' but we really think we can get to a resolution tonight," said Paul Parsells, the chief of staff for McCall.

Republicans were trying to ease the concerns of House Democrats worried that an effort to raise money by leasing more state forest land to natural gas exploration companies would inflict lasting environmental harm.

On Wednesday, House Democrats dropped their opposition to an additional $12 million in grants for hospitals, anti-violence programs and other services after getting Rendell's assurances that the Republican-controlled Senate would have no hand in directing the money toward pet projects.