North Carolina governor signs Florence emergency spending

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina's governor is moving fast to authorize legislation spending $400 million to quickly help people and communities reeling from Hurricane Florence and setting aside another $450 million for upcoming needs.

Gov. Roy Cooper's office said Tuesday he signed into law the legislation passed late Monday.

Cooper said in a statement the emergency spending bill marked a good step toward storm recovery. The Democrat is urging the Republican-dominated legislature to spend more for affordable housing, farmers and more.

The bill's quick passage and Cooper's quick signature marked a pause in the sharp partisanship that's typified North Carolina's government for years.

Most of the money will come from the state's emergency reserves. The state has about $2 billion in rainy-day funds, and this year's state budget left $560 million unspent.

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Associated Press