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Colorado Budget Close To Getting Finalized

DENVER (AP) -- Colorado lawmakers are finalizing the last details of a $7.4 billion spending plan for next fiscal year before sending the appropriately dubbed "Long Bill" to the governor.

The Senate approved several amendments and companion bills to the budget Thursday before returning it to the House in what has been one of the smoothest budget processes in years as tax collections have picked up. The House will consider changes later Thursday.

The budget keeps school funding per student at the same level as last year -- a rarity in recent budget-slashing years. School funding is the single largest piece of the budget.

Small tweaks to the budget include affordable housing construction grants and services for veterans. Although state revenues are improving, lawmakers control only a small portion of overall spending.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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