Morning Headlines: Tuesday, June 28, 2016

With Budget Deal Reached, Senate Begins Process To Vote

Republicans in the General Assembly have agreed to a final state government budget, so the process now begins for lawmakers to vote on the plan and get it to Gov. Pat McCrory's desk.

The Senate has scheduled its first vote for Tuesday afternoon on a $22.3 billion spending deal worked out with House counterparts. The House won't vote on the proposal until Wednesday at the earliest.

The plan adjusting the second year of the current two-year budget would take effect this Friday. It includes average 4.7 percent pay raises for teachers and at least 1.5 percent raises for rank-and-file state employees. There are also tax cuts for people who use the standard deduction when filing their income taxes.

Police Camera Video Access Bill Clears North Carolina House

Legislation setting up rules for how the public can access restricted video recordings from North Carolina law enforcement body cameras and dashboard cameras has cleared the House after more attempts to alter the process failed.

The legislation approved 94-20 on Monday now heads to the Senate in the final days of this year's General Assembly work session.

The bill states the footage is not public record, but people who are recorded or their representatives can request their release by the agency that generated the video. The person could still go to court to secure its release.

$500 Tuition To Apply To Elizabeth City State Students

A proposed tuition cut for some University of North Carolina campuses will include one historically black university after weeks of push and pull from educators, students and lawmakers.

House and Senate leaders announced Monday night as part of the General Assembly's budget compromise that tuition cuts to $500 per semester for in-state students would apply to students at Elizabeth City State University in addition to Western Carolina University and University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Achievement School District Proposal Gets Initial Senate OK

A new, charter-operated pilot program for struggling traditional elementary schools is now making its way through the Senate after passing the House earlier this month.

The bill creating an Achievement School District received initial Senate approval Monday night.

The proposal directs a superintendent appointed by the State Board of Education to choose charter operators with proven successful records to run five schools. The charter firm would have hiring and firing powers and be exempt from state requirements such as oversight and evaluations from local school boards.

Senate Quarrels Over Enforcing State Immigration Law

Some North Carolina senators say they fear a bill creating penalties for entities that do not comply with state immigration law could give the attorney general unwarranted power to investigate citizens and handle state dollars.

The Senate on Monday gave tentative approval to a bill that would deny funding for schools and roads from cities or counties that accept identification cards from nonprofit organizations or which establish "sanctuary policies." Supporters say the ID cards are invalid and discourage immigrants from obtaining lawful status. Opponents say the bill unfairly ties education and transportation resources to immigration policy.

Student Identified As Victim In High Rock Lake Drowning

Davidson County officials say the man who drowned in High Rock Lake over the weekend was a student at Winston-Salem State University.

The sheriff's office said in a statement that the body of 24-year-old Adam Keith Miles of Greensboro was found in the lake Sunday morning.

Miles went swimming with friends on Saturday but did not make it back to shore. Emergency crews were called to the lake near Southmont around 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

University Chancellor Elwood Robinson said Miles was a rising sophomore computer science major who had a 4.0 GPA.

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