(The Center Square) – Expansion of the state auditor’s authority for investigations is on the way to the Senate in North Carolina.

Clarify Powers of State Auditor, known also as House Bill 549, got considerable debate and some amendments along the way before Tuesday evening’s 66-46 passage in the chamber with 71-49 majority Republicans. There were no Democrats for it, and only Rep. Ray Pickett of Watauga County against it from the Grand Old Party.