DFLers who control the Legislature hustled to pass a lineup of budget bills Thursday.
The House approved an early childhood bill, and the Senate passed spending packages for transportation and environmental programs.
The early childhood bill, which passed 87-47, would use federal stimulus money to expand child care programs, create an Office of Early Learning and expand a rating system for early care and education programs.
Down the hall, the Senate rekindled an old debate -- whether to allow police to pull over drivers for failing to wear seat belts. The transportation spending bill includes the provision, and a move to strip the requirement fell short.
The transportation bill passed 47-18, and an environmental programs package passed 49-15.
ASSOCIATED PRESS