BRADENTON, Fla. — North Carolina legislators hope that third time is a charm after passing yet another continuing resolution to keep state government running.
Lawmakers from both chambers voted on the third temporary operating resolution Aug. 27, sending it to Gov. Pat McCrory.
The measure now gives them until Sept. 18 to iron out remaining differences over the 2016 budget.
The fiscal year began July 1.
In recent days, legislators have reached general agreements on "target" spending in certain areas, as well as a general fund total of $21.73 billion.
Negotiations are still under way to determine specific spending plans for certain budgets, such as education and health care.
At last report, the two chambers remained in disagreement over appropriating debt service for McCrory's $3 billion general obligation bond initiative called Connect NC.
Under the plan, $1.5 billion would be allocated to infrastructure funding and $1.5 billion to transportation projects.
The House included debt service only for the $1.5 billion transportation portion of McCrory's plan in its latest version of the budget. The Senate made no provision for the bonds.
In any case, voters would have to approve the GOs before the bonds could be issued.
