The state Senate Ways and Means Committee today approved its draft of the state budget, slightly increasing total spending from Gov. Linda Lingle's $10 billion budget request but cutting $14 million in general-fund spending over which lawmakers and the governor have the most discretion.

The committee chose to scoop some hotel-room taxes from the counties to balance the budget. Senators want to cap the hotel-room taxes at $50 million, while the state House version of the budget set the cap at the existing $94 million.

Lingle had proposed scooping all the hotel-room tax money from the counties to help close the deficit.

The committee also siphoned $45 million from various special funds to combat the deficit.

The committee would take $32.5 million from the state's hurricane relief fund and $33.5 million from the general fund to reduce 12 of 17 teacher furlough days next fiscal year. Senators expect teachers to make up the remaining five days through adjustments to non-instructional days.

The committee also would cut non-core functions at the state Department of Education.

By comparison, the House devoted $50 million in general-fund money to end teacher furlough days next school year. The House also cut $18 million from the department's weighted student formula, which the Senate would preserve.

The committee would also save $12.5 million by closing a module at Halawa Correctional Facility, which would send about 250 prisoners to the Mainland, where incarcerations costs are cheaper.

The committee opted not to pursue an increase in the general-excise tax to help balance the budget. Two Senate committees had recommended a GET hike, but state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, D-14th (Halawa, Moanalua, Kamehameha Heights), said a broad-based tax hike would threaten businesses and force layoffs.

The Senate's budget draft now goes to the full Senate for a vote.

House and Senate negotiators will meet in conference committee to come up with a final draft to send to Lingle.