Feb. 10--WASHINGTON -- The Senate is scheduled today to consider a massive economic stimulus bill that moderate Democrats reshaped to win the support of a handful of Republicans -- at a huge cost to such states as New York.

Gone entirely is funding for higher education construction, which, under the House-passed version, could have meant up to $242 million for the University at Buffalo.

Similarly, the Senate eliminated funding for school construction. The House bill would have provided $31.9 million for the district of Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo.

Senators also halved a $79 billion fiscal stabilization fund for the states. While much of the aid to local school districts remains intact, the cuts included a $25 billion fund aimed at helping governors balance their budgets.

By a 61-36 majority, the stimulus package advanced Monday on a procedural vote toward final Senate passage today. Battling a brain tumor, Sen.

Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., made his first appearance in the Capitol since suffering a seizure on Inauguration Day. He joined all other Democrats in supporting the measure.

Only three Republicans -- Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania -- broke ranks with their party to vote for advancing the bill, which tilts toward tax cuts.

If the Senate approves its version today, negotiators will have to find a compromise with the House bill, which heavily emphasizes aid to states.

In the meantime, they will hear from lawmakers like Higgins, D-Buffalo, who is none too pleased with what the Senate has done.

"I think it disproportionately hurts areas like Western New York," Higgins said. "I'd like to see those cuts restored."

The Senate measure, like the House bill, includes one gigantic provision that should provide great help to New York and its counties: an adjustment in the Medicaid funding formula that would mean more than $45 million for Erie County and about $9.8 million for Niagara County over the next two years while saving the state government $5 billion.

But otherwise, the Senate bill was a grave disappointment to lawmakers like Higgins and Rep. Eric Massa, D-Corning.

"I'm just concerned that in chasing votes, they affected the quality of the bill," Higgins said.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N. Y., pushed to get the Medicaid change in the Senate bill and resisted the cuts forced by a group of moderate Democrats and Republicans to ensure that the measure wins the GOP votes it needs to pass.