RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The Latest on the North Carolina General Assembly (all times local):
5:25 p.m.
The North Carolina Senate has given initial approval to state budget adjustments for the new fiscal year.
The spending plan benefits from a strong economy and higher-than-expected revenues to give teachers and state employee pay increases.
Senators voted 36-14 Wednesday for the $23.9 billion plan negotiated privately by Republicans over the past several weeks. There needs to be one more positive vote by the Senate and two by the House before it can go to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk.
Democrats are unhappy with the measure, saying there could have been more spending on teachers and public education if Republicans had blocked corporate income tax and individual income tax cuts for the highest wage-earners. They’re also angry that Republicans used parliamentary procedures to prevent any bill changes.
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12:20 a.m.
North Carolina budget changes for the coming year are coming up for their first floor vote.
The full Senate scheduled debate and the first of two required votes Wednesday on the nearly $24 billion spending plan. House debate and floor votes won’t begin until Thursday.
The measure adjusts the second year of the two-year budget approved last June. Higher-than-expected tax collections contributed to large average raises for teachers, troopers and correctional officers, as well as a one-time bonus to state retirees.
Democratic legislators are unhappy with the measure and several policy provisions, like those related to municipal funding of public schools and studying chemicals in rivers and streams. But they’re prohibited from offering amendments. The final measure will end up on Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk.
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