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."

House members overwhelming approved a temporary spending bill Monday night, a little more than 24 hours before the current state budget expires.

"We've got to keep state government operating," said Rep. Mickey Michaux, a Durham Democrat and co-chair of the House appropriations committee.

House and Senate budget writers have to reconcile their two different temporary spending bills by midnight Tuesday. The House version expires on July 15, applying pressure to finish the budget, while senators did not include a deadline in hopes of avoiding having to pass another temporary spending bill if they don't complete the budget in two weeks.

The House approved their bill by 95 to 21 on the first vote and 93 to 23 on the final vote.