McCrory wants $300M more in reserves, state worker bonuses

By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory wants legislators to put another $300 million into state reserves and give one-time bonuses to rank-and-file state workers next year.

McCrory released more details Friday about his proposed adjustments to the second year of the two-year state budget. The General Assembly reconvenes Monday. McCrory wants to spend $22.3 billion, or nearly 3 percent above this year.

The rainy-day reserve would grow to $1.4 billion. McCrory told reporters he wants to strengthen the state’s safety net for future economic swings.

The governor wants 3 percent bonuses for state workers, capped at $3,000 and regular pay raises for state law enforcement officers, court clerks and assistant prosecutors. McCrory also wants $27 million more for a salary fund to attract and retain workers in hard-to-staff or high-demand fields.

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