State Budget Saga Nears Resolution

"We were able to get a budget passed that is one of the best state budgets around," said House Speaker Jim Black, D-Mecklenburg.

"It's a budget I'm very proud of. We've made some moves forward in education."

The budget, which requires a final vote before it can be sent to Gov. Mike Easley, is likely to pass the two chambers today.

Under the budget plan, the UNC system will be hit with a 2.9 percent across-the-board cut -- totaling about $50 million.

Lawmakers provided $66 million to fully fund system enrollment growth and slated $4.5 million for need-based financial aid -- intended to counter systemwide tuition increases.

The budget mandates an 8 percent systemwide tuition increase for in-state students -- a $186 increase at UNC-Chapel Hill --