Senate unveils smallish budget and standalone $2.5B Helene bill

The Senate on Monday released a pair of bills that seek to address the state's most immediate needs. The proposals come as House and Senate Republicans will fail to pass a timely budget.

With summer recess approaching, Senate Republicans on Monday released a $2.5 billion plan to help Western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene and a separate 44-page continuing budget proposal to tackle day-to-day operations in state government.

The measures come as House and Senate lawmakers will fail to pass a comprehensive two-year spending plan on time. Unlike the federal government, recurring spending for North Carolina government operations continue in spite of a budget deal.

Even so, there are urgent needs both chambers want to resolve before leaving Raleigh at the end of the week, particularly in Helene recovery.

The House proposal called for $465 million in Helene spending, with much of the funding coming from a clawback of funds previously given to NCInnovation, a private nonprofit established to bolster public university research.

The Senate’s proposal, which cleared the chamber unanimously on Monday night, doesn’t touch any of the $500 million the state has already given the nonprofit, but has a heftier overall price tag.