The House's $21.3 billion state budget proposal drew a majority of support from Republicans last week, but their leader took a pass, citing a potential conflict of interest.

House Minority Leader Paul Stam, an Apex Republican, received an excuse from voting on the budget bill. His wife, her relatives and some of his clients have property that could be in the path of the 18-mile Triangle Expressway, a planned toll road in western Wake County.

The state budget proposal includes $25 million in annual funding for the expressway.

Stam was allowed to debate and vote on unrelated amendments to the budget proposal.