NC House leader: Lawmakers reach budget deal, set to unveil specifics on Tuesday

“A budget deal has been reached between the Senate and House,” Moore announced on the chamber floor Monday afternoon.

Republican Senate leader Phil Berger’s office said shortly before Moore spoke that “a budget has not been finalized” and that “discussions are ongoing.”

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper hasn’t yet taken a position on the budget.

“The governor is having discussions with House and Senate leaders about budget and health care issues,” said Ford Porter, a spokesman for Cooper.

Berger, Moore and Cooper met this weekend, according to Moore’s office.

NC budget, state-employee raises, sports betting unresolved as legislature nears adjournment

The House version unveiled last week would require an additional vote in December to actually expand Medicaid, which Berger shot down.

The Raleigh Chamber, the Triangle’s largest business membership organization, is among those calling for lawmakers to expand Medicaid.

“The Raleigh Chamber understands the importance of high-quality affordable healthcare and calls for expanded Medicaid access across the state,” Adrienne Cole, the group’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “We thank our elected officials who have already taken action to expand coverage and urge swift action from the General Assembly to achieve this goal.”

Other measures remain unresolved.

A watered-down version of Senate Bill 38 got initial approval in the House by one vote, its companion, Senate Bill 688, failed to pass, creating uncertainty over the measures’ fates because they were designed to work in tandem. If enacted, they would’ve legalized online and mobile sports gambling between 10 and 12 operators.

It’s unclear whether the budget will address any of the lingering impasses.

Moore said on Monday that he expects state lawmakers to hold budget votes on Friday and Saturday. He and Berger have said they’d aim to wrap up their legislative work for the year by early July.