Today@NCCapitol (June 30): Budget deadline averted; McCrory goes to court

The state Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday in a separation of powers lawsuit brought by Gov. Pat McCrory. Meanwhile, lawmakers expect to send him a proposal to extend the budget deadline by 45 days.

Posted 9:00 a.m. Jun 30, 2015 — Updated 9:00 a.m. Jun 30, 2015

Laura Leslie

RALEIGH, N.C. — Good morning and welcome to Today@NCCapitol for Tuesday, June 30. Here's what's going on at the legislature and around state government.

BUDGET COUNTDOWN: The state Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. to approve a 45-day continuing resolution that will keep state government's lights on while House and Senate leaders wrangle over spending, Medicaid reform and a proposed tax overhaul. The House approved the compromise CR Monday night. North Carolina's fiscal year ends at midnight on Tuesday. WRAL.com plans to carry the Senate vote live. Check the Video Central box on the homepage.

IN COURT: The state Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in the separation of powers lawsuit Gov. Pat McCrory brought against lawmakers last year. In the suit, McCrory argues lawmakers violated the state constitution by creating and appointing boards and commissions to manage executive branch functions. At issue are the Coal Ash Management Commission and Mining and Energy Commission, as well as a proposed board to oversee North Carolina's Medicaid health insurance program. The hearing begins at 9:30 a.m. WRAL.com plans to carry the arguments live. Check the Video Central box on the homepage.

HOUSE: The House has an empty calendar Tuesday after passing the continuing resolution Monday night, while voting down a Senate proposal to redraw Greensboro's City Council. The session convenes at 10:00 A.M. to receive the approved CR from the Senate and then send it off to the desk of Governor Pat McCrory.

However, there's plenty of action expected in House committees as the chamber prepares for a summer break next week.Budget subcommittees will meet Tuesday morning to review the Senate's spending proposal. And at 1 p.m., House Insurance meets to take up Senate Bill 676, a proposal by Sen. Tom Apodaca, R-Henderson, to require insurance companies to cover treatment for autism. It passed the Senate in April but has been buried in committees in the House ever since.

SENATE: Like the House, the Senate has a fairly light calendar aside from the continuing resolution vote. However, its committees will be similarly busy. At 1 p.m., Senate Finance is scheduled to hear House Bill 765, a massive environmental regulatory reform omnibus rolled out Monday afternoon in Senate Agriculture. WRAL.com plans to carry the debate live. Check the Video Central box on the homepage.

ELSEWHERE: Sen. Valerie Foushee, D-Orange, is holding a press conference on the need for funding for teacher assistants. That's timed to coincide with a teacher assistant rally and lobby day at the legislature. WRAL.com plans to carry the 10:30 a.m. press conference live. Check the Video Central box on the homepage.

Local officials from the Charlotte area are also lobbying Tuesday against the addition of tolls to Interstate 77. Sen. Jeff Tarte, R-Mecklenburg, has scheduled a press conference on the issue Tuesday at 12:30 P.M.

GOVERNOR: After sending state lawmakers a sharply worded letter Monday urging a quick resolution on the budget and declaring his opposition to the Senate's tax plans, McCrory will hold a noon press conference at the mansion Tuesday with Triangle-area officials, pushing legislators to consider his transportation bond proposal.

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