Rep. Bill Owens of Elizabeth City spoke Thursday in the House Finance Committee about a measure he co-sponsored that he said would give the state more money for public schools beyond what the final budget agreement provides. No vote was taken.

 

The state Court of Appeals struck down the Legislature's 2010 ban on the electronic sweepstakes machines.

 

Owens is one of five Democrats who voted for the House version of the budget and may be needed to override any Perdue veto of the final plan.

 

Republican leaders in the Senate don't want anything to do with the games.