Budget 2014 Coverage

No charges for Clinton, FBI says _ despite biting criticism

The FBI lifted a major legal threat to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign Tuesday, recommending no criminal charges for her handling of highly classified material in a private email account. But Director James Comey's scathing criticism of her "extremely careless" behavior revitalized Republican attacks and guaranteed the issue will continue to dog her.

By ERIC TUCKER and KEN THOMAS, Associated Press

McCrory: Feds 'being a bully' over HB2

North Carolina government and university officials were given until Monday to tell federal attorneys whether they would stop enforcing a new law blocking LGBT protections, particularly provisions requiring transgender people to use public restrooms that correspond to their biological sex.

You came to @NCCapitol for some education in 2014

Seven of the 10 most read blog posts on @NCCapitol in 2014 had to do with education topics.

Mark Binker

McCrory seeks budget tweaks, jobs bills

Gov. Pat McCrory is hopeful that legislators returning to Jones Street will send him two key measures before they adjourn until November.

Laura Leslie

McCrory signs $21.1B state budget bill

Five weeks after the beginning of the fiscal year, Gov. Pat McCrory on Thursday signed into law the state's $21.1 billion budget bill that was approved by lawmakers last week.

Laura Leslie and Derek Medlin

Lawmakers, school leaders spar over budget

A week after the final budget compromise was rolled out, lawmakers and educators still don't agree on what it does for schools.

Laura Leslie

Mug shot provisions absent from compromise budget

The final version of the state's new budget went to the governor without a provision meant to crack down on websites that charge people for the removal of their arrest photos.

Tyler Dukes

House passes budget, leaves session running

The state House wants to continue working on coal ash cleanup legislation when it returns later this month. Senators have left town anticipating little work on Aug. 14. The impasse leaves the legislative session in limbo.

Mark Binker

State budget nears passage

Hours after the state Senate gave its final approval to a $21.1 billion compromise budget, the state House voted 68-46 Friday to tentatively approve the spending plan.

Matthew Burns

Senate approves $21.1B budget deal

The state Senate has given tentative approval to a $21.1 billion compromise spending plan for the year, despite complaints from teachers and Democrats that legislative leaders' claims about pay raises are inflated.

Laura Leslie and Matthew Burns

Tanning ban, charter grant not in budget

The House budget included language that would have banned teenagers from using tanning beds. The final bill omits that language, and it also doesn't include a grant for a well-known charter advocacy group.

Mark Binker

Budget deal trims spending on social programs, boosts teacher pay

The budget state lawmakers will vote on this week boosts teacher salaries but trims eligibility for several key public aid programs, such as child care subsidies.

Mark Binker and Laura Leslie

Document outlines teacher pay raises in budget deal

A document obtained by WRAL News shows how teacher pay raises in the new budget agreement would work.

Mark Binker

Teachers skeptical of state budget deal

Legislative leaders touted Tuesday's budget deal as "historic" while the state's largest teacher organization described it as a plan that "disrespects" teachers and public school employees.

'Historic' budget deal draws concern from teachers

Legislative leaders touted Tuesday's budget deal as "historic" while the state's largest teacher organization described it as a plan that "disrespects" teachers and public school employees.

House, Senate leaders outline budget deal

House Speaker Thom Tillis and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger provided more details Tuesday on a budget deal they say is all but printed and proofread.

Mark Binker and Laura Leslie

'Puppy mill' bill likely dead for this year

A proposal to regulate large commercial dog breeders appears to be doomed once again by state Senate opposition.

Laura Leslie

Advocates wary of scarce budget details

As lawmakers work out the rest of the $21 billion budget deal struck this weekend, key details are scarce, and advocates for groups at the center of the stalemate are skeptical.

Laura Leslie

Budget writers reach agreement on framework

The House and Senate have agreed to the broad outlines of a budget deal, and expect to work out details early next week.

Mark Binker

McCrory growing frustrated with budget process

Although the General Assembly held a rare Friday session to give House and Senate negotiators more time to hammer out a budget compromise, Gov. Pat McCrory said he isn't optimistic the two chambers can agree on a spending plan that he can support.

Cullen Browder

McCrory again threatens budget veto

Although the General Assembly held a rare Friday session to give House and Senate negotiators more time to hammer out a budget compromise, Gov. Pat McCrory said he isn't optimistic the two chambers can agree on a spending plan that he can support.

Data: NC not among states that got most immigrant children

States with established Central American immigrant communities have received the most children released to sponsors this year after being arrested unaccompanied at the U.S.-Mexico border, according to federal data released Thursday.

McCrory 'touches base' at legislature

Gov. Pat McCrory made an unusual visit to the legislature Thursday to "touch base" with House and Senate lawmakers as the budget stalemate drags on.

Laura Leslie and Mark Binker

House leaders not giving up yet on budget

As the stalemate over the state budget adjustment drags on with little progress, House leaders say they're frustrated, but not yet ready to give up.

Laura Leslie

'Dialogue' but no progress on budget

Senate leaders discussed the budget stalemate and Medicaid reform at a private meeting with the governor Tuesday, but they made no progress on either issue.

Laura Leslie