General Assembly

The General Assembly has finalized a substitute plan to close a funding gap for the health insurance plan for North Carolina employees, retirees and their dependents that still could face a veto from Gov. Bev Perdue. Full story...

The debate over who should lead North Carolina's public education system has returned to the General Assembly in a bill that would shift authority to the statewide elected superintendent. Full story...

The leader of the North Carolina Senate says there's no change in the political faceoff with Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue over extending unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless. Full story...

North Carolina lawmakers are meeting to keep tabs on the needs of thousands of homeowners and businesses whose property was damaged by deadly tornadoes last month and whether more should be done to help these and future storm victims. Full story...

A bill to strengthen the position of North Carolina landowners who don't want to be forced into a municipality against their will got tripped up as lawmakers work out details to help low-income neighborhoods that want to be annexed. Full story...

North Carolina lawmakers are taking up legislation that would require a 24-hour waiting period and an ultrasound of the fetus before a legal abortion. Full story...

Gov. Bev Perdue says she's confident she'll have enough Democrats on her side when a final North Carolina state budget gets to her desk. Full story...

North Carolina lawmakers and the state school board are grappling with what's becoming a regular problem of squeezing a school year shortened by bad weather into a calendar that requires a 10-week summer vacation. Full story...

The House has started its debate on a proposed North Carolina state budget pushed by Republicans who call it a right-sized plan that makes sure government lives within its means. Full story...

The General Assembly has reached a new agreement on how to close a half billion-dollar funding gap for North Carolina's state employee health insurance plan for the next two years. But it's not yet clear whether Gov. Bev Perdue will go along two weeks after she vetoed an earlier package. Full story...

North Carolina House members are picking at a state budget proposal largely written by Republicans that critics say make deep cuts in public education and health programs but GOP leaders say protects classroom teachers and health services for the poor. Full story...

Property owners who don't want their land swallowed up by a North Carolina municipality against their will may soon have a new method to stop it. Full story...

Gov. Bev Perdue is vetoing legislation that would keep unemployment benefits flowing for about 37,000 long-term jobless workers but also force her to accept a double-digit budget cut. Full story...

Republican legislative leaders and Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue are weighing who'll get the blame if unemployment benefits for about 37,000 long-term jobless workers are cut off. Full story...

Markley: "We understand the current economic situation and we are prepared to deal with severe budget cuts. However, the Draconian level of cuts proposed by the House will do irreparable harm to the students in North Carolina's public education programs and New Hanover County Schools will not be able to meet the goals we have established for our school system." Full story...