Guess what?! Another budget extension. Another extension gives lawmakers until September 18th to complete work on the state’s two-year spending plan. The Senate had quite a few give their opinion about the dragging budget talks, but the bill to extend funding passed the Senate 37-6. A short fifteen minutes later, the House passed the legislation with no debate, 108-5.
Here are some quotes from lawmakers about the budget extension:
- “We understand that a lot of people are frustrated. Believe me, when you’re an Appropriations chair, it gets very frustrating as well.” – Sen. Harry Brown (R-Jones, Onslow)
- “We ought to have those who are going to do the negotiating go ahead and get behind closed doors, open doors, wherever they’re going to do it and get this thing done. It’s time to bring an end to this thing.” – Sen. Dan Blue (D-Wake)
- “I’m happy to stand here today and tell you that in the last 48 hours, we’ve had more movement than we’ve had in the last six months.” – Sen. Tom Apodaca (R-Henderson)