Providence, R.I. - Smartphone users, allergy sufferers and sightseeing tourists would help Rhode Island escape its latest fiscal crisis under a $7.7 billion budget proposal endorsed by House lawmakers Saturday.

The spending plan, which now moves to the Senate, would eliminate an estimated $186 million budget deficit through a mix of spending cuts, tax increases and an increase in monthly premiums paid by some families on Medicaid.

The House passed the legislation by a vote of 60-9 just before 2 a.m. Saturday following 10 hours of debate. Leaders of the House's Democratic majority said they tried to limit tax increases, protect investments in education and look for spending cuts that didn't devastate state services.

"We have to look at what our budget has available and make appropriate choices," said House Majority Leader Nicholas Mattiello, D-Cranston. "Everyone in this country is making tough choices today."

Highlights of the proposal included:

• A new 7 percent sales tax on the purchase of non-prescription drugs, software and videogame downloads, smartphone applications and sightseeing tours. The new taxes would go into effect Oct. 1 and would raise an estimated $17 million in the next fiscal year.

• Increased monthly premiums for families on Medicaid whose income places them above the poverty line. A family of four living on an income of $33,000 would see the monthly Medicaid premium rise from $61 to $91.

• A three-year halt to new school construction projects and the end of automatic pay increases for state workers based on years of service.

• A provision placing a referendum on the 2012 ballot asking voters to approve table games at the Twin River slot parlor in Lincoln.

The Senate plans to take up the proposal next week. The General Assembly must pass a budget before July 1, the first day of the new fiscal year.

The plan contains many changes from the plan introduced by Gov. Lincoln Chafee in March. Chafee, an independent, wanted to reduce the state sales tax from 7 to 6 percent but impose it on a longer list of now untaxed items.

Chafee's proposal would also have reduced business taxes and required state workers to contribute more toward their pensions.

Several lawmakers criticized the modest expansion of the sales tax. Some said the so-called "aspirin tax" would be a burden on low-income families and seniors on fixed incomes who rely on over-the-counter drugs.

Rep. Karen MacBeth, D-Cumberland, expressed concern that the tax would be levied on a local Christmas train tour for children.

"We're really going to tax children going to see Santa Claus?" she asked. "Where do we draw the line? Do we really want to be known as the state that's going to do that?"

But Rep. Helio Melo, D-East Providence, noted that most people taking sightseeing tours in Rhode Island are out-of-state tourists.

"It's not like we're going after Rhode Island residents," he said.

One notable amendment that passed would ask voters to approve table games like poker, blackjack and roulette at the Twin River slot parlor. The referendum would go before voters in the 2012 election. Officials in Massachusetts are considering authorizing casinos.

"We're going to face competition from the north very shortly," Mattiello said. "It's very important that we get the table games online as soon as possible so we're actually competitive."

The General Assembly was already considering legislation to place the question on the ballot. A study commissioned by the facility's owners suggests the state could create 650 jobs and generate $60 million in additional government revenue.

Lawmakers hope to recess for the summer next week. They'll return to the Statehouse in the fall to consider ways to reform the state's public pension system