Wednesday Wrap: Storm warnings and breakthroughs
The Senate adjourned for the week early Wednesday afternoon, and the House debated well into the night to clear as much off its calendar to get out of Raleigh early Thursday in advance of Tropical Storm Arthur, which was approaching the North Carolina coast.
Posted — UpdatedThe long day led to a rancorous floor debate as the House gave preliminary approval to its plan to clean up coal ash ponds around the state. The measure was scheduled for a final vote Thursday before heading back to the Senate for concurrence.
One positive sign out of the General Assembly: The Senate and House agreed to some numbers on Medicaid and budget reversions. That will allow legislators to move forward on hammering out a final spending plan for the fiscal year that started on Tuesday.
House Speaker Thom Tillis said no floor sessions would be held next week so the budget conference committee can work in earnest. The Senate is expected to have a floor session until Tuesday, at the earliest.
The House and Senate also reached a compromise on repealing the Common Core academic standards in North Carolina public schools. The agreement would allow elements of the controversial national standards to be considered as a state commission draws up new standards.
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