North Carolina lawmakers have released a final budget. 14 things you need to know
The spending plan includes tax cuts, Medicaid expansion, larger pay raises for politicians than teachers and state employees, changes to judicial oversight and a dramatic expansion of private schools.
North Carolina lawmakers unveiled a final budget compromise on Wednesday afternoon. If enacted as anticipated, Republicans would get a number of policy wins on tax cuts, charter school expansion and greater influence in state courts. Democrats would see wins on Medicaid expansion and pay raises for teachers and state employees, albeit at a level outpaced by inflation.
The 625-page budget was released little more than 18 hours before the first scheduled votes, with several lawmakers voicing frustration with the process.
“[House Democrats] have not seen a page of the bill. Nor has the public. This is not the way to govern our state,” House Democratic leader Robert Reives wrote on X shortly before the bill’s release.
The budget is scheduled for initial votes in the House and Senate on Thursday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. Final votes are expected to be held in the House and Senate at 12:01 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., respectively.
While the final spending plan has only been out for two hours now, I wanted to share some immediate takeaways with you. Here are 14 things in the budget that you should know:
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