BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts Senate has approved its version of a $46 billion proposed state budget, about a 5.5% increase over the prior fiscal year.

The spending plan, approved Wednesday evening, aims to move the state towards a more equitable recovery from the pandemic by making key investments in early education and childcare, food security, housing supports, and public health, Senate leaders said.

The budget is for the fiscal year that began back on July 1. The state has been relying on temporary budgets to keep the state government up and running.

Action on the budget was delayed by the onset of the coronavirus in the spring. Typically the new state budget is approved by lawmakers and signed by the governor by the start of the new fiscal year.

The House has already approved its version of the budget.

Both versions now head to a six-member conference committee made up of House and Senate members to hammer out a final compromise budget plan that must come back to each chamber for an up or down vote before being delivered to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker's desk.

Baker will have 10 days to review the spending plan before issuing any vetoes and signing it.

Baker and lawmakers will have little time to catch their breath before having to turn around and begin drafting a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2021.

During the debate, the Senate adopted an amendment that would require the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to make a reasonable effort to use any new influx of federal aid to restore any planned service cuts that have hurt ridership, which has plummeted during the pandemic.

Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack has suggested it might make more sense to hold off on using any additional federal dollars until they need it as post-pandemic ridership eventually rebounds.

The Massachusetts Senate also approved a budget amendment aimed at strengthening abortion rights

The measure would let women obtain an abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy in cases of “fatal fetal anomalies.” Current state law allows abortions after 24 weeks only to preserve the life or health of the mother.

It would also lower the age, to 16, at which an abortion could be obtained without the permission of a parent. Under current law, those under 18 must have at least one parent’s consent or seek judicial consent to have an abortion.

The House approved a similar measure in their budget plan.

Baker has previously said he opposes late-term abortions and supports current Massachusetts abortion laws.