North Carolina lawmakers continued moving quickly through their short legislative session on Wednesday. A brief summary on teacher pay, fracking and taxes:
Republican Senate leaders came out with a plan to raise teacher pay. On average, they want to offer an 11 percent raise. But teachers would only be eligible if they give up their tenure. Senators say the state would spend close to half a billion dollars, and are expected to elaborate today on where that money will come from.
Over at the House of Representatives, a bill was approved providing for hydraulic fracturing to come to the state as early as May 2015. Lawmakers have been deadlocked since at least 2012 over fracking, which is a controversial form of gas extraction that could present major environmental threats.
And back in the senate, lawmakers tentatively passed a far reaching tax bill that includes eliminating taxes that municipalities levy on businesses. It would also tax e-cigarettes.
NC General Assembly Summary: Wednesday, May 28

Dave DeWitt
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