* A proposal to subject power companies’ coal ash ponds to more government oversight cleared a key committee last week and appears on a fast track to become law before summer’s end. (G-N&R)

* Beer tastings are headed to a grocery near you. (N&O) 

* The state expects to have enough vaccine for the H1N1 influenza for everybody in North Carolina by the time the fall flu season arrives. (N&O)

* The nation's governors fear the federal government is about to hand them expensive new Medicaid obligations through a health care bill without providing the money to pay for them. (NYT)

The House and Senate dug in and heard scores of bills Wednesday.

Notable votes included bills on beer, reptiles and coastal insurance.

* HB 1595: Allows grocery stores to offer beer tastings similar to wine tastings that are already allowed. Beer can be served in portions no greater than 2 oz. The bill heads back to the House for a final vote.

* SB 307: Regulates possession and keeping of certain dangerous reptiles such as venomous snakes. Bill now goes to the governor.

* HB 1305: Would place the burden of paying for the damage caused by a catastrophic hurricane on homeowners across the state. Bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

N.C. among the fiscally tardy five...Produce public records or pay...Just say no to underage working...beer and puppies.

Happy first day of the new fiscal year!

FUSS BUDGET - North Carolina is one of five states -- along with Arizona, California, Mississippi and Pennsylvania -- that did not have its budget written on time. (New York Times)

DOCUMENTATION OR LITIGATION - The House Finance Committee today takes up a bill that would require government entities to pay the legal fees of anyone who has to sue to obtain public records.

IPODS, NOT ASSEMBLY LINES - The Senate today will consider a bill that doubles penalties for violation of state child labor laws, now among the weakest in the nation, according to the National Consumers League.

WOOF! SLURP - The anti-puppy mill bill advances, as does legislation allowing beer tastings. As Homer Simpson would say: "Mmmmm. Beer."

* A wide-ranging federal investigation of former Gov. Mike Easley appears to be venturing into renovations of his Southport house and a marina lease that resulted in an ethics complaint against him.

* Greensboro News & Record blogger Mark Binker notes that the House Health Committee agenda for today included bills on colon hydrotherapy, medical marijuana and higher beer taxes.

* Binker also reports that Rep. John Blust, a Greensboro Republican, is engaged.

* Roll Call reports that Sen. Richard Burr, who has said it is too early to poll the 2010 Senate race, releases some internal polling data on the race. 

* U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan signs on as cosponsor of Virginia Sen. Jim Webb's big prison-reform study commission bill.

* Red Oak is asking the legislature to raise the number of barrels a brewery can distribute on its own without a distributor.

* Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton announces creation of the Small Business Assistance Fund to give low-interest loans to small companies.

* A state bill to regulate child beauty pageants gets some love from Jezebel, a nationally known feminist blog.

North Carolina residents are ready to raise the taxes on sin.

So say the latest results from the Elon University Poll, which asked whether people would support a hike in the so-called "sin taxes" on cigarettes and alcohol.

The poll surveyed 758 North Carolina residents from Feb. 22-26. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.

Here's what they had to say:

Liquor tax: 78 percent support tax increase, 18 percent oppose

Wine tax: 76 percent support increase, 20 percent oppose

Cigarette tax: 73 percent support increase, 23 percent oppose

Beer tax: 72 percent support increase, 23 percent oppose