House-Senate negotiations next step to passing NC budget

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The North Carolina House has formally rejected the Senate budget proposal that it approved last week.

The unanimous decision by House legislators Tuesday was expected. Their two-year spending proposal developed last month is very different from the Senate plan, which would spend nearly $700 million less next year than what the House wants.

The formal rejection sets the stage for a conference committee comprised of House and Senate members to be formed. They will attempt to work out a compromise that seems at least weeks away. It certainly won’t be approved before the new fiscal year begins July 1.

House Republicans raised concerns Tuesday about the number of policy changes in the Senate plan, such as major tax and economic development changes.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)