No end appears in sight for a stalemate that's held hostage extended unemployment benefits for North Carolina's long-term jobless for nearly a month, state legislative leaders said Tuesday.

North Carolina Republican legislative leaders said Monday they would revisit legislation extending unemployment benefits for about 37,000 long-term unemployed workers after handling two other financial issues, timing that would force the jobless to do without for a second week.

Republican legislative leaders and Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue on Friday argued who would be blamed for cutting off unemployment benefits for about 37,000 long-term jobless workers — something lawmakers could reverse later if they wanted.

Republican leaders tugged thousands of jobless North Carolina residents into their budget-cutting goal Wednesday with a plan that forestalls a potential state government shutdown and guarantees slashed spending in return for extending unemployment benefits.

A Republican push to change how liability lawsuits against companies and doctors are handled was panned by consumer advocates and praised by business backers at a North Carolina House committee meeting Thursday.