RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The Latest on a measure at the North Carolina legislature addressing the public schools and pre-kindergarten program, but also other items opposed by some Democrats (all times local):
12:35 p.m.
The North Carolina General Assembly is officially on hiatus for the next three months, as long as the courts or a veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper doesn’t force them back.
The House and Senate adjourned Tuesday with both chambers approving a resolution they won’t return to Raleigh for votes again until May 16.
Lawmakers left behind on Cooper’s desk one bill - a wide-ranging proposal that creates a solution for school districts and new class-size limits next fall. But it also includes items involving the state elections and ethics board and a proposed natural gas pipeline many Democrats aren’t happy about.
A court also could rule elections board changes don’t comply with a state Supreme Court opinion, forcing lawmakers to return.
The General Assembly adjourned without addressing competing House and Senate measures involving the chemical called GenX.
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11:25 a.m.
A bill heading to North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk pledges more pre-kindergarten spending and limits on public school class sizes in early grades.
But the bill also alters the state election and ethics board and an agreement Cooper’s office reached over a natural gas pipeline.
The House voted 104-12 on Tuesday for the proposal negotiated between Senate and House Republicans. The Senate already approved the compromise measure late last week.
It’s unclear whether the Democratic Gov. Cooper will veto the bill or make it law. Several House Democrats criticized the measure because it included the unrelated pipeline and elections board provisions and suggested changes to the board could scuttle the entire bill.
GOP Rep. Nelson Dollar was one of bill negotiators. He called the education funding historic and said colleagues should support the measure for the state’s children.
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3:40 a.m.
The Republican-controlled legislature is one step from finalizing a compromise to phase in class-size limits in early grades in North Carolina public schools. Democrats will have to stomach provisions attached to it that target Gov. Roy Cooper if they want to vote for the plan.
The House scheduled a final vote Tuesday for the education legislation, which also pledges by 2020 to pay for preschool for all at-risk 4-year-olds.
But the measure also includes changes to the combined state elections and ethics board, and diverts money received from an agreement Cooper’s office reached with builders of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to schools.
Most Senate Democrats joined Republicans voting last week for the measure, which goes to Cooper with a positive House vote. Cooper could make it law or veto it.
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