Thursday Wrap: Rules were made to be broken

Days before protests are set to resume at the Legislative Building, a moribund committee met Thursday to set new rules that govern public decorum in the building. Legislative police and staff now have more leeway to determine who is causing a disturbance – or poses a threat to do so – and should be asked to leave.

The House Finance Committee approved an omnibus tax bill that, among other provisions, caps the privilege license taxes businesses pay to cities.

State budget director Art Pope also briefed lawmakers on Gov. Pat McCrory's $21 billion budget proposal.