State senators are debating a $27.7 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that begins in two days.

Approval of the Republican-drafted plan was expected Friday to help Gov. Tom Corbett meet his pledge for a second straight year to approve an on-time budget. Most Democrats are expected to vote against it.

The plan would increase spending by about 1.5 percent, primarily for health care for the poor and public employee pensions, without raising taxes.

Meanwhile, it would extend hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax reductions for businesses while slashing about the same amount in aid from benefits for the poor, disabled, homeless or troubled.

Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa calls the Republicans' elimination of a Depression-era cash benefit for poor, childless adults unfair and "mean-spirited."