The big story: State House and Senate negotiators continued to edge closer to an education budget agreement on Wednesday, while remaining separated on some key details.

The House accepted the Senate’s proposal to create a special fund to support advanced and technical programs , for instance, abandoning a plan to slash the money in half.

“We’re on the same page,” House education appropriations chairperson Jenna Persons-Mulicka said Wednesday during a press availability. “We are just funding that at different levels for now.”

The Senate had called for $418 million in the fund, about 70% of the amount spent this year. The House countered with about $596 million, which Persons-Mulicka said would guarantee each district the same or more than the current formula.

The sides also agreed

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