Budget delays require NC Senate measure

RALEIGH — North Carolina lawmakers have rolled out another temporary spending plan because they won’t complete a final budget deal before the current stopgap measure expires Wednesday night.

The state Senate approved overwhelmingly a second so-called “continuing resolution” Monday night and sent it to the House. It directs Gov. Beverly Perdue and state agencies on where they can spend while lawmakers negotiate a permanent two-year budget and how much.

Sen. Linda Garrou of Forsyth County said senators had little choice but to offer the temporary plan because legislators don’t have a deal yet on how to raise an extra $1 billion.

The Senate’s temporary plan has no expiration date. The House may change the bill to set another deadline.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)