Today@NCCapitol (Sept. 15): Senate poised to take first budget vote

After giving members and reporters a preview on Monday, top lawmakers rolled out a $21.7 billion compromise state budget plan late last night. Senators are scheduled to take their first vote on the bill today.

Posted 9:00 a.m. Sep 15, 2015 — Updated 12:05 p.m. Sep 15, 2015

Mark Binker

RALEIGH, N.C. — Good morning and welcome to Today@NCCapitol for Tuesday, Sept.15. Here's what's going on at the legislature and around state government.

BUDGET: Top House and Senate leaders gave previews of their $21.7 billion budget plan to reporters and members Monday, but the actual document wasn't available until late in the evening. The budget bill and accompanying money report are now posted on the General Assembly's website.

SENATE: Senators are expected to take a first vote on the budget during a 2 p.m. session. Democrats complain they will have an actual copy of the 500-plus-page bill in their hands for less than 24 hours before being asked to vote on the measure. WRAL.com plans to carry the Senate session live. Check the Video Central box on the homepage.

HOUSE BUDGET: House rules require the budget sit for three legislative days before being heard. That would mean the chamber's first vote would be on Thursday. There was some discussion of moving that vote to Wednesday when Rep. Elmer Floyd, D-Cumberland, moved to suspend the rules Monday night. However, outcry from both Republicans and Democrats caused Floyd to withdraw his motion, at least for the time being.

If the House sticks to its current schedule, Speaker Tim Moore said the first vote would be Thursday and a second, final vote would be Friday morning just after midnight.

HOUSE: The House is scheduled to meet at 12 p.m. to take a final vote on a bill that would make posting of so-called revenge porn a felony. WRAL.com plans to carry the House session live. Check the Video Central box on the homepage.

HOUSE RULES: The House Rules Committee meets at 1:30 p.m. It has a trio of bills on its calendar, including a measure calling for a postage stamp honoring evangelist Rev. Billy Graham.

GOVERNOR: Gov. Pat McCrory will appear at 2 p.m. during the first meeting of the Governor’s Task Force for Mental Health and Substance Use at the McKimmon Center on North Carolina State University's campus.

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