Thursday Wrap: Budget veto watch

Gov. Roy Cooper and legislative Democrats have expressed opposition to the budget because it lacks Medicaid expansion, includes a business tax cut and chooses to pay for school construction without putting a major bond referendum on the 2020 ballot.

The sharp words over the budget came hours after the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the ability of the Republican majority to draw legislative and congressional districts to their partisan benefit. The case stemmed from a redraw of North Carolina's 13 U.S. House districts in 2016, but critics of the maps are still pursuing a case against them in state court.

In addition to the budget, legislation creating a death by distribution felony in drug overdose cases is headed to Cooper. And the House unanimously passed a measure designed to increase safety for passengers of ride-share services.

Meanwhile, a House committee stripped out some controversial provisions of an alcohol omnibus bill, such as allowing Sunday sales, to move other sections forward.