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.
