The first law Gov. Pat McCrory signs this year could be an agreement between the House and Senate to slowly drop North Carolina's tax on gas.
Under a plan approved by top members of each chamber last week, the gas tax would fall on Wednesday to 36 cents from 37.5 cents, then to 35 cents in January and to 34 cents in July 2016.
The measure would eliminate a plan previously approved by lawmakers that, according to legislative analysis, would've cut the gas tax significantly more, potentially costing dozens of jobs at the state Department of Transportation.
"This proposal protects and stabilizes gas tax revenue so we can fund important transportation priorities that connect communities throughout our state," McCrory said in statement. "I appreciate the spirit of cooperation by House and Senate leaders."
North Carolina drivers would be charged 60 cents per gallon in state and federal gas taxes by 2016, according to the American Petroleum Institute, The Hill reported.
Economic Incentives
State and House lawmakers are at odds over how much money to give Commerce Secretary John Skvarla for the state's Job Development Investment Grant Program to encourage businesses to move to North Carolina.
The state would hand out $22.5 million under H117, which was approved by the House.
The state would hand out $5 million under S326, which was approved by the Senate.
And the state would make changes to the corporate income tax rate and save businesses $500 million per year, under S526, according to Sen. Leader Phil Berger. Gov. Pat Mcrory blasted that approach for “breaking the bank” for North Carolina.
Duty-Free Lunches
Lawmakers are scheduled to debate a plan to guarantee teachers free time during lunch.
