With House vote, budget bill heads to McCrory

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The adjustments to the North Carolina state budget for the new fiscal year have received final General Assembly approval and are headed to Gov. Pat McCrory.

The House gave its second affirmative vote to the $22.3 billion spending proposal Friday by a count of 91-22. Like Thursday’s preliminary vote, the bill received bipartisan support. The Senate approved the same measure earlier in the week.

Republicans who drew up the spending plan highlight permanent pay raises for teachers and state employees, higher standard deductions for income tax filers and setting aside $474 million more in reserves. Democrats who voted no say the measure isn’t good enough and criticized what they label pork in the plan for local projects.

The budget adjusts the second year of the two-year budget approved last year. Friday is the start of that second year.

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