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Wednesday Wrap: Budget vote (part 1)

The Senate gave preliminary approval to the state budget Wednesday, with Republicans using a parliamentary maneuver to block all amendments and force a simple up-or-down vote.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — The Senate gave preliminary approval to the state budget Wednesday, with Republicans using a parliamentary maneuver to block all amendments and force a simple up-or-down vote.

Sen. Don Davis, D-Pitt, was the lone Democrat to back the budget, which faces a final Senate vote on Thursday. The House is expected to take its first vote on Thursday as well.

One provision in the budget that lawmakers touted adds tests for three rare diseases to the state's newborn screening panel. Although the expansion triples the cost of the testing, lawmakers said it could cut health costs in the long run by getting infants needed care quickly.

Outside of the budget, sponsors of a bill to regulate fantasy sports pulled it from a House committee when an amendment was proposed to strike language that fantasy sports aren't gambling under state law.

A bill to allow four Charlotte suburbs to create their own charter schools cleared the Senate Education Committee. The budget also includes a provision that would allow cities statewide to fund schools, either charters or traditional public schools.

Finally, lawmakers and Attorney General Josh Stein rolled out the latest proposal to combat opioid abuse. While last year's STOP Act focused on doctors and other providers, the new legislation would create new penalties for anyone who diverts prescription painkillers or whose distribution of drugs results in a death.

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