State budget vote today

We could finally have a state budget by the end of the week. The House and Senate gave preliminary approval to the $19 billion spending plan yesterday with a final vote scheduled today.

Gov. Bev Perdue said a one-penny sales tax increase was better than higher income taxes for working families. She said only about 13 percent of households will face a new, added surtax on their taxable income.

The governor said yesterday she will sign the bill, but reluctantly.

Click here to see the budget bill.

Click here to see a summary of the budget.