The state Senate on Tuesday shot down $3.7 billion in budget cuts contained in a Republican-driven spending plan, an expected action that underscored continuing divisions between and within the two parties.

The 26-13 vote on the measure -- opposed by the Senate's majority Democrats and one Republican -- marked the second GOP budget plan California lawmakers have defeated since the fiscal year began without a budget. Assembly Democrats killed a Republican plan on July 6.

The plan would have cut $3.7 billion more than Democratic plans -- including restoring some cuts proposed by Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and rejected by lawmakers. The cuts included eliminating the California Coastal Commission, paring back financial aid for college students and scrapping a slew of optional benefits for Medi-Cal recipients such as acupuncture services.

The plan also rejected several proposed fee hikes.

"We've eliminated all of them ... because, with all due respect, when you get money, you spend it," said Senate GOP leader Jim Brulte of Rancho Cucamonga.

Senate President Pro Tem John Burton, D-San Francisco, criticized the GOP plan, saying it picks on "those that can't fight back."

"This is a budget you can well be proud of, because I think it reflects your philosophy," Burton said to Republican senators. "Fortunately, or unfortunately, I don't think it's the philosophy of the majority of this house."

Of the 15 Republican senators, one opposed the plan and another abstained.

Sen. Tom McClintock voted against the budget blueprint because it relied on an increase in the vehicle license fee, triggered by the Davis administration, that is set to kick in Oct. 1. Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Salinas, meanwhile, abstained from voting for the plan, saying he opposes any cuts to education.

Other GOP lawmakers said they were reluctantly signing on to demonstrate Republican resolve against tax hikes.

Sen. Jim Battin, R-Palm Desert, acknowledged that he could support a plan that included more than $1 billion in cuts to local governments only because he knew that it would not be adopted.

"I have campaigned on the fact that I would not cut ... from local government," Battin said.

Democrats also face divisions within their caucus about the degree of cuts.

Burton promised after Tuesday's vote to continue to try to hammer out an agreement with Brulte. Some at the Capitol have speculated that the two leaders would strike a deal by week's end, but Burton said he is not optimistic that will happen.

Davis on Tuesday called for lawmakers to "drop all other business until there is a budget passed."

"Now the time has come to pass a budget that serves the people we are privileged to represent. There is not more reason to delay," he said.

Also Tuesday, clergy representing several denominations held a prayer service on the Capitol steps to urge the quick adoption of a budget that is not balanced on the backs of the poor.

"It is time to end the finger-pointing," said Bishop Roy Dixon, a pastor of the Faith Chapel Church of God in Christ in San Diego.

"State elected officials should overcome their differences and create a workable budget for the state that is based on human needs and not political gains."

The Rev. John Fressemann, pastor of Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alameda, said the budget is a reflection of the values of the people of California.

"It's a statement about who and what we care about," he said. "It's also a statement about who and what we do not care about."

The budget stalemate is playing out against a background of competing interests. When Shan Cretin, of the Friends of the Quakers, asked for a moment of silence, a cacophony of horns began blaring. Rigs from the California Trucking Association were circling the Capitol to protest proposed California standards that they say will increase fuel costs.