THE BIG PICTURE:The main appropriations bill on Wolf's desk is a $6 billion spending plan that completes a $30 billion spending package for the year, ending nearly nine months of partisan gridlock in Harrisburg. The package includes $578 million in aid to universities - Penn State, Temple, Pitt, Lincoln and the University of Pennsylvania's veterinary school.

TAXES:Republicans say a tax increase is unnecessary to make the $30 billion budget package balance. It would rely on a projected $30.9 billion in tax collections, plus an expected $50 million casino license fee, before subtracting more than $1.3 billion in refunds.HOW IT BALANCES:Republicans say the plan would use about $260 million in carried-over money and $200 million in unused program money. The state would forgo a $305 million payment it regularly makes for its portion of school construction projects and delay more than $200 million in payments for Social Security taxes for school employees and reimbursements to counties for child welfare costs. It also counts about $150 million in savings in some Medicaid programs, in part because of enrollees becoming covered by broadened federal eligibility guidelines that carry a higher federal cost-sharing rate.SCHOOLS:The appropriations bill carries just over $3.1 billion for public school instruction and operations, which would bring the total appropriated for the year to $5.9 billion, a $200 million increase. Wolf had originally sought a $400 million increase, and the bipartisan deal that collapsed had contained $350 million.