Wednesday Wrap: Slapfest

Before a stopgap funding measure passed 117-1, Republicans and Democrats pointed fingers and accused each other of not trying to negotiate in good faith over the $24 billion budget that Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed last month. Needless to say, neither a veto override vote or a vote on a Medicaid expansion proposal occurred, as they are joined at the hip and won't move as long as negotiations are stalled.

Also not occurring Wednesday, a bill that would block cities and counties from regulating Airbnb and other short-term rentals was pulled from a House committee amid fierce opposition.

Meanwhile, bills on Duke Energy rates, the state's Certificate of Need regulations for health care facilities, telemarketer spoofing, tougher gang penalties, a new state gaming commission and tougher penalties for assaulting a law enforcement officer with a gun were all pulled from floor votes in the House or the Senate. It's unclear whether some or all are becoming negotiating chips in the budget fight.

Among the items that did advance Wednesday were legislation requiring birthing centers to be licensed, a continuation of the 15-point scale used to rate schools, changes to school testing procedures and tougher penalties for violations of the Move Over Law.

Two criminal justice reform measures advanced in committee. One would make it easier to expunge arrest records for nonviolent felonies, while the other would give judges more sentencing discretion in some drug cases.