AUSTIN (March 20, 2013)--The Texas Senate Wednesday approved a new state budget plan that calls for spending $195.5 billion over two years.

The budget reflects a 7.7 percent increase in general revenue spending over the current budget that lawmakers cut to the bone in 2011.

The bill passed 29-2 after three hours of discussion on the Senate floor.

Republican leaders in the Senate lauded the 2014-15 budget proposal as making the best of sunnier economic fortunes than two years ago.

Public schools gutted of $5.4 billion two years ago would win back about one-fourth of those historic cuts under the Senate bill.

Republicans said the bill also leaves room for tax relief.

The bill now moves to the House.