NC budget changes approved by House

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The North Carolina House has given its approval to state government budget adjustments for the coming year, as several Democrats again joined the Republican majority with its passage.

The chamber voted Wednesday night in favor of the $20.3 billion plan for the second year of the two-year budget originally approved in 2011.

The vote was 73-46. It means GOP leaders at the Legislature appeared equipped to block any potential veto by Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue as they were able to do last year.

Republicans say the adjustments lessen school district cuts for the coming year without raising taxes. Democratic counterparts say the proposal does little to fill positions of public school personnel laid off last year.

The measure now goes to the Senate.