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North Carolina budget fast-track squeezes out amendments

Republicans at the North Carolina legislature are fast-tracking this year's budget adjustments so quickly they're preventing rank-and-file members - particularly Democrats - from formally offering their own changes.
Credit: Micha? Chodyra
Photo: Thinkstock

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Republicans at the North Carolina legislature are fast-tracking this year's budget adjustments so quickly they're preventing rank-and-file members - particularly Democrats - from formally offering their own changes.

House and Senate GOP leaders have been meeting privately for weeks on adjusting the second year of the two-year government spending plan approved last summer.

House Republicans announced Wednesday a not yet released plan will be voted on next week. Leaders will use a procedural method preventing amendments in committee or during floor debate.

Democratic Rep. Billy Richardson said Republicans want to avoid votes that could be used against them in fall campaigns.

GOP Rep. Chuck McGrady is a top budget-writer. He says he wouldn't have necessarily wanted it this way but says the budgeting process has been efficient.

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