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RALEIGH — Speeders, litterbugs and other scofflaws would pay more in fines and just about anyone who does business with the government would pay more in fees and taxes under a bill the full House could begin debating as soon as Friday.

In total, $88.7 million in new fees would be levied over the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, under the budget given its final committee approval shortly after 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night.

Along with nearly $800 million in new taxes they would help bridge a $4 billion-plus budget gap facing North Carolina while averting deep cuts to health, education and other programs. Those cuts have caused cries of protest from teachers, people who rely on publicly-funded health care and others who use government services.

“We had some very egregious cuts that a lot of us on both sides of the isle had a lot of trouble with,” said Rep. Hugh Holliman, a Lexington Democrat and his party’s leader in the chamber. “We’ve raised a very modest amount of revenue.”

But as Democratic leaders brought an hours-long stop-and-start House Finance Committee hearing to an end, Republicans protested they did not have a chance to properly read, debate or amend a bill they said spends too much.

“Because we wouldn’t step up to the plate, we’re asking struggling families and businesses out there to ante up more,” said Rep. John Blust, a Greensboro Republican.

Democrats used their superior numbers and committee chairmanships to cut off debate and turn away pending amendments.

“Particularly at this time of year, this is not unusual,” said Rep. Pryor Gibson, a Wadesboro Democrat and one of the Finance Committee chairmen. “It’s very uncomfortable and very cumbersome, but it’s how democracy works. Sometimes it just ain’t pretty.”

Among the programs the new money helped restore:

lClass sizes in public school kindergartens through third grades won’t rise under the new draft of the plan. Budget writers originally planned to add two students per class.

lBudget cuts to the university system were scaled back by $75 million.

lRates paid to providers who treat Medicaid patients won’t be cut as severely as first anticipated.

lHealth services, including one that provides chicken pox vaccinations, and a statewide dental health program will be restored.

The new fees in the budget are charged for particular services provided by government agencies. Annual inspection fees for restaurants, tanning salons and bingo parlors would rise.

In addition, the fines for dozens of crimes would rise. The fine for those convicted of not wearing seat belts would double to $50, and anyone convicted of speeding by more than 25 mph or drinking while driving would pay $350 more in additional fines.

Early drafts of the same fee package would charge sheriff’s deputies and city police officers $100 for both in-service training and certifications they need in order to work.

That money would be put into the state’s “general fund,” which pays for all manner of programs and services.

“Putting a fee on police officers for other things in the state is appalling to me,” said Wendy Raines, a reserve police officer in Greensboro and the president of the Greensboro Police Officers Association.

“This will be fixed on the floor. We have an amendment to take care of that,” said Rep. Paul Luebke, a Durham Democrat and senior chairman of the Finance Committee.

House leaders hoped to finish work on their draft of the budget this week so they can begin negotiating a final compromise plan with the Senate and Gov. Bev Perdue early next week. A new budget is due by July 1.

Although lawmakers have regularly blown past that deadline in years past, doing so this summer would be more costly and complicated because of the massive budget shortfall.

Republicans remain united in their opposition to the budget because of the tax and fee increases. That leaves the 68 Democrats, who control the chamber, to reach consensus among themselves.

For a time, such consensus seemed elusive Wednesday.

“I hope they’re raising some funds in there,” said Rep. Alma Adams as she sat in her car outside the legislative building early in the evening. The Greensboro Democrat’s mobile phone had gone dead and she was charging it off the car’s cigarette lighter.

“You can’t be happy about a budget that has this many cuts in it to basic services,” said Adams, a chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Adams also chairs the Legislative Black Caucus, a group that represents the General Assembly’s African American lawmakers. Caucus members had been pushing the House to raise more in taxes so even more services could be restored. Adams pointed to services for the elderly and funding for nonprofits that provide health and social services as things she would like to see restored.

“These are not frills,” she said.

Wavering support from black Democrats, as well as saber rattling from more conservative members who wanted fewer taxes, threatened to derail various agreements.

In the end, a single bill was shoved together, although Democratic leaders said House rules and constitutional requirements would keep them from taking a final vote until 12:01 a.m. on Saturday morning at the earliest. Some debate is expected today and Friday.

Leaders were undecided on whether to take a highly unusual Saturday vote or send members home for the weekend.

Contact Mark Binker at (919)832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com