Republican legislative leaders say they're getting closer to reaching a deal on the state budget and will likely vote on it next Wednesday or Thursday.
On Twitter, Republican House Speaker Tim Moore wrote that he met with Senate Leader Phil Berger until midnight on Tuesday, trying to craft a final spending plan.
Senate budget writer Harry Brown says the House and Senate have come to terms on most of the budget items, including spending for driver's education.
"The money's in, we're thinking about policy...and we're just trying to get more oversight on the program itself," he said.
After loud protests from teacher assistants and educators, Republican House and Senate leaders have also agreed to keep funding for TAs at last year's levels. But they haven't agreed on whether schools could use that money for other needs.
House speaker Tim Moore says its will take several days to draw up a spending plan once leaders reach an agreement. Lawmakers are now more than two months past their original deadline and have already passed three extensions.
