NC House Democrats Rally Behind Stein’s Budget Priorities Amid 900-Day Impasse
House Democrats endorse Gov. Stein’s calls for teacher raises and public safety funding as NC enters 900th day without a state budget.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — House Democratic Leader Robert Reives and his leadership team endorsed Governor Josh Stein’s budget priorities during a Wednesday morning press conference, calling for immediate action on teacher pay raises and public safety funding as North Carolina approaches 900 days without a comprehensive budget.
The press conference occurred on the second day of the legislative short session, hours before House and Senate lawmakers passed a Medicaid funding bill. North Carolina remains the only state in the nation without a comprehensive budget after legislators failed to reach consensus during last year’s session.
Budget Stalemate Continues
“The people of North Carolina deserve better leadership than what they have seen so far from us. Our state’s gone more than 900 days without a comprehensive budget,” Reives said. “The only state in the nation to fail at the most basic responsibility we have.”
The budget impasse stems largely from disagreements between House and Senate Republicans over whether to implement additional cuts to personal and corporate income taxes. Legislators continue searching for consensus on comprehensive budget legislation.
Pay Raises for Public Workers Priority
Democratic leaders emphasized the urgent need for salary increases for teachers, government employees, and law enforcement officers, noting that North Carolina’s compensation for these positions lags behind most other states.
“How can you tell people how much you support law enforcement when you refuse to even do the basic steps it takes to make sure they can make more money in law enforcement than they can going to work right now at Costco?” Reives asked during the press conference.
Representative Vernetta Alston, the House Democratic conference chair, said the party is focusing on issues “draining folks’ bank accounts,” including housing prices, utility fees, food costs, and child care expenses.
Economic Pressures on Families
“Working people are paying more at the grocery store than they have in years, while many small farmers are struggling just to break even,” Alston said, highlighting the economic challenges facing North Carolina residents.
The Democratic leaders’ support for Stein’s budget proposals comes as lawmakers work to address both immediate funding needs and long-term fiscal planning for the state. The Medicaid funding bill passed Wednesday represents one area where legislators found agreement amid broader budget negotiations.
As the short session continues, Democratic leaders are pushing for comprehensive budget action that addresses what they describe as critical funding gaps in education, public safety, and economic relief for working families across North Carolina.
