The mostly behind-the-scenes work of North Carolina House budget writers fashioning a proposed two-year government spending plan is getting unveiled. The House scheduled several subcommittee meetings on Thursday to consider spending and policy items for most government agencies. The meetings mark a key step toward rolling out a complete budget bill and the full House voting on it by the end of next week. The Republican-controlled Senate approved its own plan in June. The two chambers ultimately will have to work out differences to get a final spending plan on Democratic Gov.

Legislation to license and tax sports betting throughout North Carolina has cleared its first Senate committee. The bipartisan legislation approved on a divided voice vote Wednesday would direct the issuance of up to 12 sports wagering operators’ licenses. License fees and a tax on gross revenues would be collected by the state. The bill’s chief sponsor says many people already are wagering on collegiate and professional events through out-of-state betting sites. Sen. Jim Perry says regulating these activities would promote transparency and generate revenues for things like education.