Senate, McCrory OK state government funds until budget done

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — A stop-gap spending measure will keep North Carolina state government operating well into the new budget year starting Wednesday.

The Senate gave final approval Tuesday to the stop-gap plan and a spokesman says it was signed by Gov. Pat McCrory. The legislation keeps money flowing for state operations until lawmakers can finish negotiations on a broader spending blueprint for the next two years.

The arrangement gives lawmakers about 45 days to work out a final budget deal, though it’s possible it could take longer because of big differences in the competing plans approved by House and Senate legislators.

The continuation budget keeps government funding at current levels except for areas where the chambers have already agreed to identical cuts in their spending proposals.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)