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Thursday Wrap: It was late, but the budget finally came

There was plenty of late-night reading Wednesday when the state budget deal was released at around 11 p.m. - all 400+ pages of it.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — There was plenty of late-night reading Wednesday when the state budget deal was released at around 11 p.m. – all 400+ pages of it.

The document included the budget, along with some non-budget items, including a measure legalizing drones.

Sen. Jeff Jackson, D-Mecklenburg, noted its late release in Thursday’s budget debate on the Senate floor, calling the budget process "secretive."

Senators approved the budget deal 32-13 on second reading and were to take a final vote shortly after midnight Friday.

Senators also discussed other measures:

  • Moped bill came back to life on Senate floor, sans the insurance provision.
  • Patent trolling bill passed, which would allow North Carolina companies that win a patent lawsuit to recoup damages from non-practicing entities.

Lawmakers are expected to return Aug. 14 to take up any possible vetoes by Gov. Pat McCrory, and then they'll be back Nov. 17 to discuss Medicaid reform.

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