ANNAPOLIS, MD - The Maryland Senate passed the state budget Wednesday afternoon with a staggering vote of 42 to five.

"Is there more good than bad in it, and in this case I think there's more good than bad. Overall, this is probably one of the better budgets that we've had to deal with since Governor O'Malley's been governor, let's put it that way," says Sen. George Edwards, (R) - Garrett, Allegany, and Washington Counties.

The almost $37 billion budget received a 'yes' vote from all four Western Maryland's senators. The O'Malley budget was amended Slightly in the Maryland House of Delegates and in the senate budget and taxation committee.

"It was a good balanced budget. We're still cutting down on the structural deficit. Hopefully next year we can totally eliminate it. We're moving forward with the pensions. We have seen some upturn in the economy that's helping the situation," says Sen. Ron Young, (D) - Frederick and Washington Counties.

This is the first time in seven years Washington County Senator Chris Shank voted for the budget.

"We have been working since the beginning of session with county commissioners and with the school board about trying to restore funding that was cut from Washington County back in 2010," Shank (R) says. "This is called the disparity grant, and it's very important to Washington County that we get those funds restored."

Republicans presented six amendments, including restricting state funding for abortions and stem cell research.

Only one amendment passed, presented by Frederick County Senator David Brinkley, to increase school funding to several counties, including Garrett and Allegany Counties.

"That benefits primarily Carroll County, which I represent, but also Allegany County and Garrett County. They still will take a reduction in education funding because they've had some change in demographics. However, it will cushion the decrease so they won't see as big a slight," Brinkley (R) says.

The Maryland House of Delegates passed the bill last week, so now the budget package heads to a conference committee to iron out the differences between House and Senate bills.