For years, the state Senate promoted and protected the free UNC tuition taxpayers grant graduates of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics.

Kay Hagan, a former state senator from Greensboro who is now in the U.S. Senate, was the free tuition creator and champion, Lynn Bonner reports.

But it looks like the Science and Math grads' free ride may not survive Hagan's move to Washington, Lynn Bonner reports.

The tuition offer is on the chopping block.

The Senate's proposed budget calls for phasing out the tuition offer, making this year's graduates the last to benefit. Science and Math is a state-run boarding school based in Durham for students from around the state.

More after the jump.

   Comments (4)

A number of bills never made it past the legislature.

The bills would have:

Prohibited smoking in public spaces such as restaurants and workplaces.

Rolled back a law requiring most schools to open on or after Aug. 25.

Called for a public vote on banning same-sex marriage in the constitution.

Prohibited corporal punishment in schools.

Called for a public vote on amending the state constitution to bar governments from taking property for economic development purposes.

A full list after the jump.

   Comments (0)

The deal offering free state university tuition to graduates of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics took a blow Thursday, with the state House voting to cancel it.

The bill is expected to win final House approval Monday, Jane Stancill reports.

Critics say it's not right to offer tuition grants to one high school's graduates.

Rep. Paul Luebke, a Durham Democrat and tuition grant critic, said $25,000 included in the bill to study an alternative grant for students who agree to teach science or math after college is a compromise.

The proposal is not likely to pass the Senate, where budget writer Sen. Kay Hagan, a Greensboro Democrat, is its champion. She says the grants help keep the state's best and brightest at home.

But the House debate gave Rep. Cary Allred, an Alamance County Repubilcan, a chance to rail against elitism.

The state House approved its version of the state's $20.3 billion budget shortly after midnight.

The budget would give state workers a 4.25 percent pay raise, extends two "temporary taxes" from 2001 another two years and sets aside $900 million for a rainy day fund. (Char-O)

During several hours of debate, the House rejected an attempt by Rep. Cary Allred to eliminate free university tuition for graduates of the N.C. School of Science and Math in Durham. (AP)

Legislators also approved $100 million to help counties pay for Medicaid, tax credits for adoption and long-term care and an Earned Income Tax Credit. (W-SJ)

House leaders were proud of their handiwork:

"We came up with a good, tasty product that everyone can enjoy," said Rep. Mickey Michaux, a Durham Democrat who led the budget-writing effort in the House. (N&O)