Long-delayed NC budget released with raises, Helene funding, ferry tolls and more

[littlemissmartypants]

WUNC News | By Colin Campbell
Published June 30, 2026 at 11:35 AM EDT

State lawmakers released a $34 billion budget bill Tuesday morning that comes a full year behind schedule. The House and Senate plan to vote on the spending plan later this week, aiming to get the bill to Gov. Josh Stein's desk by late Thursday.

The 600-page bill includes income tax cuts and state employee raises that lawmakers announced in May. Most state workers will receive a 3% raise along with a bonus of either $1,000 or $1,750, depending on their salary level. Unlike in previous late budgets, the raises will not be retroactive.

Teacher raises would vary based on experience but average about 8%, with the biggest increases for early-career educators.

Scheduled personal income tax cuts would be delayed until 2029 and beyond. The compromise plan to address concerns about a "fiscal cliff" would drop the personal income tax rate from 3.99% to 3.49% from 2027 to 2029, then 3.24% from 2030 to 2032, eventually reaching 2.99% for 2033 and 2034 and 2.49% when revenue triggers are reached after that point.

Snip

https://www.wunc.org/politics/2026-06-30/delayed-nc-budget-released-raises-helene-funding-ferry-tolls

[dweller]

1. From what I understand

The bill cannot be amended , it will be a straight up or down vote only.
Here’s the link to it , if any one is wonk enough to read it .
https://webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewNewsFile/116/Final_Committee_Report_SB257_2026_06_30

And

https://webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewNewsFile/117/S257-CCSNExr-2%20v78


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