North Carolina Budget Now Turns To House Debate, Votes
It's now the House's turn to decide on the two-year North Carolina state budget drawn up by Republican negotiators over the past several weeks.
The House scheduled a vote late Thursday on the plan that spends nearly $22 billion annually through mid-2017. An affirmative vote then would lead to a second and final vote early Friday after midnight.
The Senate already voted for the budget Tuesday and Wednesday. Three Democrats joined all Republicans in supporting the measure on the final Senate vote. House Speaker Tim Moore said this week he also expected bipartisan support.
The measure should be in Gov. Pat McCrory hands by Friday morning. He'll be asked to sign the bill into law.
Changes To Review School Sex-Ed Materials Approved By House
An overwhelming majority in the North Carolina House has agreed to changes that could broaden the scope of materials middle-school teachers use to instruct about sex education.
The chamber voted 110-2 on Wednesday for the bill, which would widen qualifications for curriculum about sexually transmitted diseases, contraception and sexual abuse. Sex trafficking prevention also would be a new program element.
Instructional materials now must be peer reviewed, scientific and accepted by credentialed "sexual health education" experts. A version floated Tuesday would have simply labeled them "credentialed experts."
Compromise 'Revenge Porn' Bill Finalized In North Carolina
The North Carolina General Assembly has agreed on a "revenge porn" law.
The Senate voted unanimously Wednesday for compromise legislation with the House, which also fully agreed to the changes Tuesday.
The measure heading to Gov. Pat McCrory's desk would make it illegal to post nude or sexual images of a person without the person's affirmative consent and with the intent to identify the person and cause harm.
Presidential Candidate Rubio Visits North Carolina Next Week
Republican Marco Rubio is coming to North Carolina to talk with voters and raise money for his presidential campaign.
The U.S. senator from Florida scheduled a "meet-and-greet" event late Monday afternoon at a south Charlotte restaurant. Rubio's campaign says the event at Rooster's Wood-Fired Kitchen is free.
The GOP candidate also is holding a fundraiser that evening at the home of NASCAR team owner Felix Sabates in Charlotte. Participants are asked to donate $1,000 or $2,700, depending on the reception.
North Carolina Parks Site Hacked; Credit Cards Exposed
North Carolina is replacing dozens of state-issued credit cards for employees of the agency that oversees state parks after an apparent hacking of the division's website.
Chris Estes, North Carolina's chief information officer, said Wednesday that data on the state Division of Parks & Recreation website had been compromised and law enforcement agencies are investigating.
A group called KelvinSecurity posted a link on Twitter to a site that appeared to display dozens of 16-digit purchasing card numbers for employees of the parks division, along with purchase amounts for vendors that sell computers, tractors and other equipment.
Estes said the state has canceled and reissued the cards, but it doesn't appear any numbers posted online were used for unauthorized purchases. He said the website's vulnerability has been fixed.
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