Thursday Wrap: Some surprises here, not there

McCrory outlined many items in the spending plan in his State of the State address last month, including raises for starting teachers, a $1.2 billion bond for transportation projects and more money for business recruitment.

Meanwhile, there were plenty of surprises in a Senate Redistricting Committee. A bill that would redraw the voting districts for the Wake County Board of Commissioners was introduced Wednesday and was added to the committee's agenda Thursday morning, giving opponents little time to voice their concerns. The committee plans to hear more public comments next Tuesday before voting on the bill.

On the House floor, the bills that would adjust the state gas tax and expand business recruitment funds received final approval and head to the Senate.

While McCrory was introducing his budget, his lawyers were in a Raleigh courtroom fighting with lawyers representing the General Assembly over who has the power to appoint members to state commissions. A decision by the three-judge panel handling the case isn't expected for a few weeks.