Tuesday Wrap: One vote down, three to go

The first Senate vote came about 17 hours after the budget was made public late Monday night, and Gov. Roy Cooper was quick blast the plan, saying lawmakers should have invested more in education and economic development instead of implementing another corporate income tax cut.

Cooper's office also was a victim of the budget knife, as lawmakers trimmed its operating expenses by 17 percent. Meanwhile, money was inserted into the budget for new furniture and another security force at the Legislative Building.