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Today@NCCapitol (July 1): New fiscal year brings vacation break

Lawmakers have an extra 45 days to come to an agreement on the state budget. The Senate takes up a major regulatory reform bill and a proposal to eliminate citizen protest petitions on controversial developments.

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By
Matthew Burns
RALEIGH, N.C. — Good morning and welcome to Today@NCCapitol for Wednesday, July 1. Here's what's going on at the legislature and around state government.
HAPPY NEW YEAR: Wednesday is the first day of the 2015-16 fiscal year, but state agencies are still basically operating under the 2014-15 budget until House and Senate leaders can compromise on a new spending plan. Gov. Pat McCrory signed a 45-day continuing resolution into law on Tuesday after it was hastily passed by the General Assembly late Monday and early Tuesday.

The CR gives lawmakers until Aug. 14 to pass a new budget. So, what are they doing with the small operating window? They're taking next week off as soon as they can tie up some loose ends Wednesday and Thursday.

HOUSE: The House has its floor session at 2 p.m., when it will take up proposed building code reforms.
SENATE: The Senate likewise goes into session at 2 p.m., when it will debate a sweeping regulatory reform measure, including numerous changes to state environmental laws that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources opposes. Also on the agenda are bills that would eliminate protest petitions as a tool for residents to fight controversial developments nearby, tweak state rules for the use of cannabidiol oil to control seizures and increase the penalties for unlawfully altering amusement rides. WRAL.com plans to carry the session live. Check the Video Central box on the homepage.
COMMITTEE WE"RE WATCHING: House Transportation meets at 11 a.m. to review a Senate transportation funding bill that would slash the state gas tax to 9 cents a gallon from the current 36 cents, adopt new vehicle taxes and stop the annual transfer of gas tax revenue to various state funds.
ADVOCATES: House Minority Leader Larry Hall and state NAACP President Rev. William Barber hold a 10 a.m. press conference on Medicaid expansion. WRAL.com plans to carry the event live. Check the Video Central box on the homepage.
GOVERNOR: A day after his lawyers argued before the North Carolina Supreme Court to stop lawmakers from appointing members to Coal Ash Management Commission and other state panels that carry out administrative duties, McCrory will be Shelby on Wednesday to make an economic development announcement.

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