The state Senate today approved its draft of a $11.1 billion supplemental state budget that includes additional money for education, welfare and health care for the poor. 

Senators also moved their signature legislation, a $500 million investment in bond-financed state construction to reduce the repair and maintenance backlog at public schools, hospitals and other public buildings.

The House has supported a request by Gov. Neil Abercrombie for $300 million in new bond-financed construction.

“I think it’s a philosophical difference that we still have and we’ll try to iron through it in conference,” said state Senate President Shan Tsutsui (D, Wailuku-Kahului).