HARRISBURG -- It was 9:30 last night when rank-and-file lawmakers got their first look at details of a budget agreement their leaders hashed out in the wee hours of Monday morning.

With leaders saying a vote could come early today, that leaves members with just hours to review the details, although they had been briefed on major initiatives during separate caucus meetings.

"You may have people who are speed readers," said House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans, when asked if that was enough time.

His spokeswoman, Johnna Pro, elaborated later: "Those representatives have been going through this since February. Believe me, they know what's in this budget. Our members fully understood what was being negotiated in this budget and our leadership fully understands what the priorities of our members are."

Gov. Ed Rendell and lawmakers involved in the negotiations had been unwilling to provide details to reporters about the $28.2 billion spending plan earlier, saying numbers were still being worked out until last night, when spreadsheets were released.

They show details of $600 million in cuts and $500 million in additions to the budget Mr. Rendell requested in February.

In the Senate last night, lawmakers were warning of a possible $1 billion deficit in the next 12 months that could force additional cuts or tax increases.

The foundering national economy that slowed tax collections could cause big problems down the road, they said. Budget negotiators tapped surpluses and postponed certain payments to free up more than $500 million that helped avert deeper cuts to Mr. Rendell's proposed budget.

State Sen. Gibson E. Armstrong, R-Lancaster, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, said he expects a deficit at the end of the fiscal year of between $800 million and $1.2 billion.

If that happens, the state can put off hiring, scrounge cash that is sitting unspent in state accounts or dip into emergency reserves, Mr. Armstrong said.

Government watchdogs have said that there should have been time to vet the spending plan publicly before a final vote, but Mr. Evans, D-Philadelphia, said they should trust lawmakers to do the right thing.

What is clear is that the budget includes $300 million in new education funding and $2 billion in borrowing for infrastructure projects.

Separately, legislative leaders agreed to borrow $500 million toward the creation of a $650 million fund to develop alternative and renewable energy sources.

Sen. Sean Logan, D-Monroeville, is pleased that the deal provides more funding for primary and secondary education without increasing taxes.

"All the districts are getting good increases," he said.

Overall, the proposed basic education spending would increase by 5.5 percent statewide, to $5.23 billion, up from $4.95 billion last year.

All districts will get at least a 3 percent increase, but some will get increases of more than 20 percent.

The largest percentage increase, 22 percent, is proposed for Upper Darby School District in Delaware.

Locally, Chartiers Valley stands to get the biggest percentage increase. State funding would rise $433,000, or 11.1 percent, for a total of $4.3 million.

Pittsburgh schools would get $152.5 million, up 5.8 percent or $8.3 million over last year.