Today@NCCapitol (May 21): House to debate $22.1B budget

Final House budget tune-up tweaks renewable energy, venture fund provisions

During a 3 p.m. session, during which Miss North Carolina spoke to the chamber, House Speaker Tim Moore announced lawmakers would take up the budget at 6:30 p.m. When the appointed time came, that plan had changed.

House Rules Committee Chairman David Lewis, R-Harnett, explained that Democratic members had asked for time with the legislature's nonpartisan staff in order to review the document and draft amendments. Democrats came up with 40 potential changes they may offer.

That, Lewis said, did not leave the state or members of the Republican majority enough time to prepare for session. Combined with lack of sleep from a busy week and "The Growler," one of the biggest social events of the legislative year, House leaders called off the planned debate.

Some had speculated that the delay might have something to do with a lack of support from Republicans for the spending plan. Indeed, at least a few members of the conservative tea party wing of the GOP have said they won't back the plan. But Lewis expressed confidence Wednesday night that the votes would be there to pass the bill.

"The overwhelming majority of our caucus will vote for it," he said.