Tenure would be eliminated for North Carolina public school teachers in five years, under legislation approved Wednesday by the Senate Education Committee.

While much of Gov. Pat McCrory's first budget is in keeping with what fellow Republicans have said they're interested in, three proposals run counter to actions by legislative leaders.

Senate leader Phil Berger said giving teachers tenure is an impediment to improving public education. His education reform proposal eliminates tenure and seeks to reward high performing teachers.

Lt. Gov. Dan Forest is the Republican Party's best shot to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, according to a new poll.