McCrory says he’s trying to influence state budget outcome

By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Pres

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — Gov. Pat McCrory says legislators should have approved a final North Carolina budget months ago but acknowledges lawmakers must sort out a range of opinions.

McCrory talked to reporters Tuesday about the budget negotiations. The governor says he’s still pushing for his initiatives but considers his role as facilitating dialogue between House and Senate leaders.

He says he believes he has helped. Two weeks ago, he announced a bottom-line spending number of almost $22 billion after a breakfast meeting with legislative leaders.  A two-year budget was supposed to be on his desk by July 1, but Republican lawmakers got stuck over policy changes and funding levels for this year.

He says he’s confident legislators will agree on a budget before a temporary spending measure expires Sept. 18.

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