Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates $65 billion in funding for the 2025-2026 state budget in North Carolina.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $65 billion in funding for the 2025-2026 state budget in North Carolina, including (Sec. 1-44):

• $32.6 billion for fiscal year 2025-2026; and

• $33.2 billion for fiscal year 2026-2027.

• Increases teacher base starting pay to nearly $50,000 by the end of the biennium, including across-the-board raises, which will increase average teacher pay by 6.4% in the first year of the biennium and an additional 8.7% in the second year (Sec. 1-44).

• Establishes bonuses for eligible advanced course and career and technical education teachers (Sec. 1-44).

• Specifies that state employees are included in the compensation increases and will receive a 2.5% across-the-board raise in the first year of the biennium (Sec. 1-44).

• Requires and mandates the return of $500 million in previously appropriated state funds to NCInnovation, and reallocates them to the Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Fund (Sec. 1-44).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning July 1, 2025 (Sec. 45.8).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates $65 billion in funding for the 2025-2026 state budget in North Carolina.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $65 billion in funding for the 2025-2026 state budget in North Carolina, including (Sec. 1-44):

• $32.6 billion for fiscal year 2025-2026; and

• $33.2 billion for fiscal year 2026-2027.

• Increases teacher base starting pay to nearly $50,000 by the end of the biennium, including across-the-board raises, which will increase average teacher pay by 6.4% in the first year of the biennium and an additional 8.7% in the second year (Sec. 1-44).

• Establishes bonuses for eligible advanced course and career and technical education teachers (Sec. 1-44).

• Specifies that state employees are included in the compensation increases and will receive a 2.5% across-the-board raise in the first year of the biennium (Sec. 1-44).

• Requires and mandates the return of $500 million in previously appropriated state funds to NCInnovation, and reallocates them to the Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Fund (Sec. 1-44).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning July 1, 2025 (Sec. 45.8).

Full Bill Text