NC Budget Deal Deadline Uncertain as Lawmakers Return to Session
Gov. Josh Stein doubts lawmakers will meet their mid-June budget deadline, despite House leaders announcing resolution of a year-long impasse between chambers.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina lawmakers returned to the state capital this week for votes on numerous bills, but Governor Josh Stein expressed skepticism about whether legislative leaders will meet their mid-June deadline for a comprehensive state budget.
House budget chair Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth) announced last month that a year-long impasse between the House and Senate had been resolved, with House members expected to vote on a final spending plan during the third week of June.
However, following Tuesday’s Council of State meeting, Stein questioned the feasibility of the timeline. “I just think it always takes more time than people wish it would,” Stein told reporters. “That does not mean that they’re not having constructive conversations between the House and Senate.”
Governor Maintains Cautious Optimism
The governor noted he has never witnessed the General Assembly meet a deadline set a month in advance. Despite his reservations about the timeline, Stein said his administration has maintained active communication with Republican budget writers regarding state operational needs.
“I’m hopeful that if it’s not by that deadline, it would be soon thereafter,” said Stein.
The comprehensive budget failed to materialize last year, leaving state workers and teachers without clarity on compensation increases and other benefits.
Proposed Employee Compensation Framework
Under the framework announced May 12 by House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate Leader Phil Berger, teachers would receive average raises of 8 percent. State employees would see average increases of 3 percent, while law enforcement officers and prison correctional officers could receive minimum raises of 13 percent.
The proposal also includes a one-time 2.5 percent bonus for state retirees.
Stein declined to commit to supporting the Republican leadership’s proposed framework. “There were some matters of the framework that I thought were good. There were some matters of the framework that I thought were bad,” said Stein. “We just have to see what the budget actually is.”
Hurricane Helene Recovery Funding Remains Priority
The governor emphasized his hope that the final spending plan will include a third round of funding for Hurricane Helene relief in western North Carolina. More than a year and a half after the historic storm devastated mountain communities, significant recovery work continues throughout the affected region.
The budget negotiations come as state workers and teachers await resolution of compensation issues that have remained unaddressed since the failure to pass a comprehensive budget in the previous year. The proposed raises represent significant increases for various categories of state employees, particularly law enforcement personnel.
Legislative leaders have not indicated whether they might adjust their mid-June timeline if negotiations require additional time to resolve remaining disagreements between the chambers.
