With closet cleaned at General Assembly, issues still remain

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – More than 200 bills passed either the North Carolina House or Senate during the past week as the General Assembly’s “crossover deadline” came and went. Most policy measures that failed to pass one chamber are probably dead through 2018.

The deadline points to the next phase of this year’s session as well as hot-button issues Republicans will try to work out – and some that Democrats will try to stop – before adjournment.

Those issues include immigration by creating punishments to deter local governments from “sanctuary” policies and changes to election laws. Constitutional amendments on income taxes and “right-to-work” laws also could be on next year’s ballot.

The next big moment of the session comes in early May when the Senate unveils a two-year state budget proposal.