NC House releases proposed budget amid impasse with Senate

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — The House released a budget plan which includes investments in teacher and state employee raises, childcare funding, and the full funding of Opportunity Scholarships.

“The House budget fully funds Opportunity Scholarships for the thousands of North Carolina families who have applied to the scholarship program,” House Speaker Tim Moore said. “Parents must be empowered to make the best education choices for their families regardless of income status, but school choice is not a zero-sum game. Therefore, the House budget also raises starting teacher pay to $44,000 and restores masters pay for teachers, ensuring every public school classroom has a qualified teacher who is compensated like the professional that he or she is.”

Under the existing budget, state employees and teachers are slated to receive 3 percent raises on average starting in July.

Under the House’s proposed budget, retirees would receive a 2 percent bonus. The state would also use $350 million out of the Medicaid reserve fund to cover a shortfall in that program.

The House budget is now available to view online.