The N.C. House narrowly passed anti-bullying legislation Monday night that includes protections for gay students.

The vote was 59 to 57, with seven Democrats crossing the party line to vote against it and one Republican voting for it.

The bill, due for a final vote Tuesday, would put North Carolina among the overwhelming majority of states with anti-bullying laws but one of only a few that have specified sexual orientation and gender identity as characteristics that could be targeted for harassment.

Republicans chided Democrats for not passing a bill that simply protects all students from bullying instead of specified categories, while Democrats accused Republicans of letting their opposition to gays prevent them from aiding children.

A House committee approved a controversial anti-bullying bill Tuesday morning that provides protection for gay students among several groups.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Julia Boseman of Wilmington, and other Democrats have argued that identifying specific groups is more effective in ensuring they are protected, Kevin Kiley reports.

Rep. Paul Stam, an Apex Republican and the House minority leader, argued that the bill was too vague and that similar provisions have been used to support gay marriage in court cases in other states.

"Who knows how this thing can be interpreted," he said.

Republicans have attempted to amend the bill to forbid bullying against any student, regardless of who the victim is, but the proposal was shot down.

The bill, which already cleared the Senate, passed the committee by a 9 to 5, party line vote. The bill now goes before the full House.

Good Tuesday morning. The budget haggling formally begins today. Perdue to sign new benefits for slain cops' families. Bullying in committee. Sex Ed on the floor.

BIRTHDAYS: Sen. Doug Berger is 49; Rep. Rick Glazier is 54. 

The Senate last night formally rejected the House's $18.6 billion budget, complete with its $780 million in new taxes, so it's deal making time in conference committee. Budget writers from the House and Senate have already begun what will become marathon sessions in a corner conference room on the sixth floor of the Legislative Office Building. Senate Conferees began poring over the House's spending plan yesterday afternoon, receiving stacks of documents still warm from the printer.

The controversial anti-bullying bill, which includes protection for gay students, is slated for a House judiciary committee at 10 a.m. More debate and division related to sex is due in the afternoon when the "Healthy Youth Act," the euphemistic title for the sex education bill, is on the Senate floor calendar.

Gov. Beverly Perdue has scheduled a formal signing in the Old House Chamber in the capitol for a bill providing new benefits for the families of law enforcement officers with 15 years or more of service who died in the line of duty.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ONE-LINERS: The Commission for Public Health is holding a hearing regarding the definition of solid waste.