NC Legislative Update: The Budget Is Vote On

Today the full House took up the budget on the House floor.  Out of all the bills that will be debated and voted on this session, the budget is the longest and by far the most complicated and most contested legislation during the short session.

After a marathon session last evening. Today's gathering started at 2:00 p.m. and was finished by 6:00 p.m. The rules require that the budget be voted on in two separate days.  So, today was not yet the end of the debate nor the end of the myriad of amendments. The actual end to this first process on the House side will be tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

So, here is the vote. 114 Representatives were present today. Ayes: 102  Noes: 12 Excused Absent: 3 and Excused Vote: 1.

Included in this budget is $8.2 million dollars for new Community Alternative Program Waiver Slots (CAP) MR/DD.  This is a wonderful achievement that could not have happened without the voices and actions of many advocates around our State.  

We will be posting a complete recap of the budget on Friday.