RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Gov. Beverly Perdue's attempt to reject the Legislature's budget bill for North Carolina state government has been defeated for the second year in a row.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted 31-10 on Monday night to override Perdue's veto of budget adjustments for the fiscal year that began Sunday. The House agreed earlier in the evening to override 74-45 with the help of several House Democrats.
The $20.2 billion budget bill now becomes law.
Perdue on Friday vetoed the spending plan for the new fiscal year, saying it didn't do enough for public education.
Several Democrats pleaded with colleagues to back Perdue's veto because public education needs more funding, but GOP lawmakers call it a good proposal given the state's economy and that it will preserve Medicaid funds.
The Legislature overrode Perdue's 2011 budget veto.
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