Senate leader Phil Berger, who lost his primary, begins his final General Assembly session after 25 years.

Cabarrus commissioners declined to hear the school board’s budget last week, potentially leaving the growing district without a boost in funding.

The agreement follows a months-long standoff between the Republican-led House and Senate and the Democratic governor’s administration.

“If we put everybody in prison in federal government that had had a budget go over, we’d have to reserve an area roughly the size of Texas for a penal colony,” Tillis said.

NC Gov. Josh Stein makes his latest budget proposal as the General Assembly returns for the short legislative session.

Not a political insider? We’ve got you. What you should know about the NC General Assembly returning to Raleigh this spring.