A proposal that would permanently divert at least $194 million annually in real estate-related taxes from Florida’s affordable housing program to general state spending won approval Friday from the Senate Budget Committee.

The panel also voted to slash health care spending for transplant recipients and other “medically needy” patients with catastrophic illness but who lack sufficient insurance coverage.

Those were among several cost-cutting bills the committee approved that would conform state law to a $69.8 billion budget the panel approved Thursday for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

“cost cutting”