GOP’s NC budget proposal gets lots of Democratic votes

By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press

RALEIGH, NC (AP) – The North Carolina House has given final approval to its two-year state government spending plan with a rare showing of broad bipartisan support for a budget.

The chamber voted 93-23 early Friday for the measure that would spend over $22 billion in the year starting July 1. The bill received initial approval Thursday just before midnight on a nearly identical vote.

The measure offered most members something to be happy about, whether teacher and state employee pay raises, $400 million for reserves or improved courts funding. A repealed income tax deduction for medical expenses also was restored.

Many of the 11 GOP legislators who voted no had expressed unhappiness with increased spending or incentives.

The bill now goes to the Senate, which should have its own budget plan next month.

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