The House approved a bill Thursday that would extend furloughs that are the equivalent of half percent pay cuts to include legislative and judiciary employees.
Gov. Beverly Perdue ordered the furloughs last month after learning that the state was short an additional $1 billion. The state constitution separates the branches of government and Perdue's order applied to the executive branch.
"The separation of powers sort of says she doesn't have any control over the legislature to do this," said Rep. Mickey Michaux, a sponsor of the bill.
The bill also seeks to ensure that retirement contributions and other benefits are unaffected by the furloughs.
Rep. Larry Womble, a Winston-Salem Democrat, said he was concerned that the legislature wasn't trying to spare lower-income employees from sacrifice.
"I don't believe it's fairness when it comes to this if you include janitors, maids, the dishwasher, the person who mows the grass, the one who cleans the bathrooms and mops the halls and clearns our offices," Womble said.
The bill moves now moves to the Senate.
