We’ll be live blogging some of the budget discussions today, updating here, on Facebook and on Twitter @NCMercury.

Here’s the link to the bill and the “money report.”

Correx: Per Sen. Apodaca: #ncga Senate budget will be heard on the floor Friday and then at 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning. #ncpol — mark binker (@binker) May 29, 2014

Update 12:03: Adjourned

Update 12:00: Amendment asking for study on improving Elizabeth City U as well as possible shutdown defeated

Update 11:53: Amendment by Sen. Davis to “help a university to be successful instead of help it being closed” would require UNC system to look at ways to stop enrollment decline. Sen. Apodaca argues against it. Sen. Robinson asks Apodaca if he’s talked to UNC. He says no, the bill is dealing with one institution (Elizabeth City State University) that’s “been a chronic problem.” Bill asks UNC BOG to examine possible closing. Apodaca says amendment “kicks the can down the road” and urges vote against. “Sooner or later we’re going to have to come to the realization” that the institution may need to be shut down. Tillman says study on closing or consolidating ECSU should be done.

Update 11:50: Oregon Inlet state park funds clarified in amendment by Sen. Brown

“Director of the State Bureau of Investigation shall be appointed by the Governor” #ncga #redflag #alarmbells — gregflynn (@gregflynn) May 29, 2014

Sen. Min. Leader Dan Blue on budget: “What this bill has done is to burn the schoolhouse down to give the teachers the insurance check.” — Lynn Bonner (@Lynn_Bonner) May 29, 2014

Update 11:41: Meeting has resumed. Amendments to budget bill under consideration. Sen. Apodaca amendment secures funding for science building for Appalachian State University. Sen. Brock adds back some funding for farmers’ markets.

Gov. McCrory doesn’t see transfer of SBI as a problem but wants more discussion with DPS Sec Frank Perry first #ncpol #ncga — Tim Boyum (@BoyumTWCnews) May 29, 2014

Update 10:45: 4 percent reduction in DOT budget for Aviation, Rail, Public Transportation, and Ferry Operations

• Aviation Division (Fund Code 84210-7830): $800,000

• Rail Division (Fund Code 84210-7829): $960,325

• Public Transportation Division (Fund Code 84210-7831): $3,393,723

• Ferry Division (Fund Code 84210-7825): $1,542,317

• Bicycle & Pedestrian Division (Fund Code 84210-0035): $30,043

Meredith: Proposed budget eliminates 300 positions from DOT. Majority are already vacant. #ncpol #ncga @WNCN — Beau Minnick (@BeauMinnick) May 29, 2014

Senate budget adds 12 positions to Treasurer’s Office to internalize investment management, currently contracted out. #ncga — Jones St Chronicles (@JonesStWatcher) May 29, 2014

Update 10:30 Budget proposes 12 new positions in Treasurer’s office to manage state investments.

Provides funds to the Investments Division to internalize a variety of investments currently managed by external fund managers. The appropriation will provide funding to hire five Portfolio Managers and seven Investment Analysts to manage investments for global equity, private equity, credit strategies, real estate, and inflation protection. There is also additional funding for software licenses and employee related

Update 10:20: Possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia reduced to Class 3 misdemeanor.

Sen Goolsby tells budget committee moving SBI to Dept of Public safety will save $$ through bulk purchases, joint training, etc… #ncga — mark binker (@binker) May 29, 2014

NC Senate budget includes pay increases for highway patrol, magistrates and court clerks. #ncga — Jones St Chronicles (@JonesStWatcher) May 29, 2014

MT @ncbudgetandtax: Senate’s $21.16 billion budget is more than 6% below last budget enacted before Great Recession (FY2008) #NCGA #NCpol — Together NC (@togethernc) May 29, 2014

Update 10:07: Sen. Brown says film incentives are not in the budget but they are being looked at.

Update 10:01: From the money report a note that there is serious money going for Oregon Inlet purchase — “Transfers $3.5 million of the cash balance to the

newly created Outer Banks Land Management Fund to be established in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.”

Thank goodness Senators heard public comment about budget decisions in subcommittee meetings. Oh yea, no meetings here held #ncga #ncpol — Fitzsimon (@Fitzsimon) May 29, 2014

Update 9:51: DENR — Coal Ash positions funded, Oregon Inlet purchase funds included. Big cut of 1.4 million to state Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. AG — Some counties will be asked to support forestry positions. Budget cuts to farmers’ markets.

RT @SarahOvaska: #ncga Senate budget cuts 70 #schoolnurses from #dhhs budget, 30% cut. Remaining 166 RNs only in poorest (Tier 1) counties — Rosemary Hoban (@rosehoban) May 29, 2014

Update 9:45: Sen. Stein asks about affects to Medicaid services. “Looks like thousands of aged, blind and disabled” will no longer be served. Sen. Hise says change is to the qualifications system. “This is a cut . . . in population we will serve.”

Update: State to reorganize Medicaid. Set up new system to treat “whole patient” and preventative programs. Would be new agency set up outside of DHHS. New agency could take years to develop according to Sen. Pate. State will conduct a nationwide search for ideas and staff to set up and manage new department.

From the bill:

MEDICAID REORGANIZATION TO WORK TOWARDS REFORM SECTION 12H.1.(a)

It is the intent of the General Assembly to transfer the Medicaid and NC Health Choice programs to a new state entity that will define a new, more successful direction for the programs and that will be able to focus more clearly on the operation of the programs. Specifically, the Medicaid program shall move away from unmanaged fee-for-service towards a system that manages care. To that end, Medicaid shall include all dimensions of care for a recipient through full-risk, provider-led and non-provider-led, capitated health plans. Such full-risk capitated health plans shall include all aspects of care, without exceptions, so that the State will bear only the risk of enrollment numbers and enrollment mix.

@NCSenateGOP budget cuts services-offers no help to 6 years without meaningful pay raise & on top force tax increases on working NC’s #ncga — Dana Cope (@DanaDcope) May 29, 2014

Senate budget removes nearly 12k blind, elderly disabled from Medicaid beginning Jan. 1 to save $28.7 M. #ncga #ncgov — Lynn Bonner (@Lynn_Bonner) May 29, 2014

Sen. Apodaca really likes this budget. #ncga — Jones St Chronicles (@JonesStWatcher) May 29, 2014

Senate budget reduces approp to MH/DD/SAS by $30 million. Proposes eliminating funding ($2.7 million) for Wright School in Durham #ncga — Paige C. Worsham (@PaigeCWorsham) May 29, 2014

Update 9:15 — Eliminates 7400 teacher assistants — all except kindergarten and first grade — to find $$ for teacher raises. LEAs would have flexibility to move money if they want more.

Update 9:03 — Sen. Tillman says UNS system should look at closing “small unprofitable” universities. Staff says Elizabeth City State University is only the one that fits the criteria in the budget bill.

A few tweets so far:

Sen. Tillman: took $390 M out of k-12 budget to put into teacher salaries. #NCGA #NCleg #ncpol — Lynn Bonner (@Lynn_Bonner) May 29, 2014

Senate going over budget. Proposal would cut driver education funding in July 2015. Local school boards would fund. #ncpol #ncga — Beau Minnick (@BeauMinnick) May 29, 2014