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The deannexation bill was requested by developer David Couch, who wants to build apartments and other housing on the property despite objections from Summerfield's leaders.

State lawmakers are considering a plan to allow up to four new casinos in rural areas of the state. They see a newly opened casino in Danville, Virginia as an example of how gambling could help economically challenged communities.

When asked to evaluate the chances that legislation allowing some combination of new gambling would reach Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's desk this summer within or separate from a budget agreement, Phil Berger replied: “I’d say better than 50-50."

The Senate voted separately Tuesday for each of the four measures by margins wide enough to enact them over Cooper’s objections contained in his veto messages. They will become law should the House also vote to override the vetoes.

North Carolina state government might not have a budget when the new fiscal year begins next month.

The state Senate’s budget includes a plan to give the legislature more power to pick judges.

Cooper, a Democrat, released his budget proposal in March. The Republican-led House passed its budget in April. The Senate’s vote this week kicked off weeks of closed-door budget negotiations between House and Senate leaders.

North Carolina has been one of a handful of states that haven’t expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

As the new legislative session begins, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expect healthy debate about Medicaid expansion, mental health care, abortion and other issues.

House Republicans stirred up partisan controversy by adopting a rule that could make it easier to override vetoes by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.