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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2026-05-04

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This is North Carolina's 2026 state budget bill, which appropriates approximately $35.4 billion in General Fund spending for the fiscal year 2026-2027 and sets salary schedules for state employees, teachers, and officials. The bill includes funding for education, health and human services, transportation, and other state operations, along with various policy changes affecting education, taxation, and state administration.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this budget invests in critical state services including education funding increases (teacher salary raises of 3%, principal bonuses, school resource officer funding), healthcare improvements (Medicaid enhancements, mental health services), child care support (increased subsidy rates for four and five-star facilities), and infrastructure needs.
• •The bill also provides tax relief through a back-to-school sales tax holiday, reinstatement of the working families tax credit, and increased standard deductions, benefiting lower and middle-income families while maintaining competitive tax rates for economic development.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may contend the budget relies on structural measures like negative reserves funded by state property sales and procurement savings rather than sustainable revenue sources, raising concerns about long-term fiscal stability.
• •Some may criticize specific allocations, such as funding for the Opportunity Scholarship program (which redirects students to private schools) being reduced, or question whether education funding increases adequately address all school system needs, particularly in rural or under-resourced districts.
• •Others may debate the sufficiency of healthcare funding increases relative to population and inflation growth.