Republican legislation that seeks several hundred million dollars to help narrow a projected $3.7 billion gap for North Carolina’s budget next year has received final Senate approval. The Senate voted 31-16 in favor of a plan that directs Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue to locate at least $400 million in cost savings throughout state government. The measure also would take about $140 million from reserves and other pots of money. Democrats voting against the measure complained the bill takes $75 million from Perdue’s incentives programs and a tobacco trust fund at a time when government should encourage private-sector jobs. The chamber approved a Republican amendment that preserved $4.7 million sitting in a cancer research fund at UNC Hospitals. The bill now goes to the House.
By Gary D. Robertson.
Posted on Mon, Feb. 07, 2011
