Thursday Wrap: Mark your calendars

The Senate calendar didn't list any legislation of note on its published calendar for Thursday, but that didn't stop senators from approving bills that would replace the Common Core academic standards for public schools and reorganize the state Department of Commerce by shifting marketing and job-recruitment functions to a public-private nonprofit.

Posted 11:34 p.m. Jun 5, 2014 — Updated 11:34 p.m. Jun 5, 2014

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Senate calendar didn't list any legislation of note on its published calendar for Thursday, but that didn't stop senators from approving bills that would replace the Common Core academic standards for public schools and reorganize the state Department of Commerce by shifting marketing and job-recruitment functions to a public-private nonprofit.

The Commerce bill also included a revamp of the state's tax credit program for film and television productions.

Meanwhile, the House gave preliminary approval to its own Commerce reorganization bill, which doesn't include any provisions on the film tax credit, and agreed with Senate changes to the Read to Achieve requirements for third-graders.

A Senate committee also questioned Department of Environment and Natural Resources officials about Gov. Pat McCrory's plan to clean up coal ash ponds statewide.

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