After months of painful debate, Governor Ed Rendell signed two bills into law late Friday October 9th - one on taxes, and one on spending - that would finally bring Pennsylvania its long-awaited FY10 state budget of $27.8 billion.

The budget plan, which reduces overall state spending by 1 percent from 2008-09 levels of $28.3 billion, includes a host of one-time cash infusions and $2.6 billion in federal stimulus money. The budget relies on revenue from increased business and cigarette taxes, a new levy on "little cigars," and the legalization of table games at casinos.

A few pieces of legislation that impact the spending plan still need to be approved by the General Assembly, including ones that establish state funding for universities such as Penn State and Temple, as well as a bill to authorize the table games. Action on these bills, however, will not further delay payments.

To review the FY10 spending levels for arts and culture, review our budget summary here.