The Senate GOP’s counteroffer passed Tuesday included little compromise and little increase in spending. However, it’s a budget that will fund Pennsylvania’s needs, Senate GOP members argued.

Sen. Andrew Brenner wants to replace local school levies with a single statewide property tax rate and a higher sales tax. Other property taxes would not be affected. Senate Bill 93 would set school property taxes at 20 mills and raise the rest from a 1.

North Carolina Republicans are moving with remarkable speed to add help add an 11th member of their party to the state’s 14-member congressional delegation. The Senate voted 26-20 along party lines on Tuesday to give its final approval to a new map that would make one more congressional district unwinnable for a Democrat.

The two Upstate districts have special elections after the resignations of state Sen. Roger Nutt and state Rep. Bobby Cox.