North Carolina state Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, speaks with reporters on the Senate floor at the Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C., on Monday, July 31, 2023. Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore have said tax changes and several additional items in a consensus state budget have been agreed upon. They said other details have to be worked out but that final budget votes could occur in mid-August. (AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson)