State lawmakers will return to Raleigh Thursday for the six-week short session at the General Assembly.
The short session's main purpose is to make adjustments to the state's budget, which operates on a biennial budget cycle.
But in this midterm election year, the General Assembly will be in the national spotlight. Republican Speaker of the House Thom Tillis is running against Democratic incumbent Senator Kay Hagan. And observers will be watching what he does.
Also, the issue of raises for teachers and state employees is likely to be discussed in detail- Governor McCrory has already released a proposal but it remains to be seen how much of that plan legislative leaders might adopt. And lawmakers are likely to promote measures to clean up the coal ash spill and prevent future accidents.
