A North Carolina budget is a month late, but Republicans say they are closing in on a deal
BY GARY D. ROBERTSON RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina Republicans say they are closing in on a state budget deal, with top House and Senate leaders acknowledging an income tax agreement has been reached that would lower rates on individuals more deeply than current law directs. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger said that a tax deal and other unnamed key differences have been worked out after