THE LATEST: NC House gives initial budget approval

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The North Carolina House has given its tentative approval to the two-year state budget that Republican lawmakers took all summer to negotiate. Only one more vote is needed before the measure goes to Gov. Pat McCrory, who already said he’ll sign it.

The House voted 80-35 after four hours of debate Thursday night. The Senate signed off on the plan Wednesday.

A second and final House vote was expected to occur just after midnight.

House Republicans on Thursday highlighted increased spending for public education and $600 million for reserves and government building repairs in urging colleagues to vote for the plan. But several Democrats said the budget fell short on teacher and state employee pay and expanding the sales tax for repairs and installations.

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