Opinion
2 tales in 1 budget: Right-sizing government, wrong-turn on taxes
In the NC House’s recently released budget plan, there are two starkly different stories unfolding—one of responsible reform and one of political retreat.
Video
Locke’s Mitch Kokai assesses NC Senate’s approach to NCInnovation funding
Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses the North Carolina Senate budget’s approach toward NCInnovation. Kokai offered these comments during the April 18, 2025, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”
Opinion
A lot to like about Senate budget, but transparency would improve process
While there is much in this budget to praise, for the sake of public input and transparency, many are hoping future budgets see a bit more time for discussion and debate.
News
Senate gives bipartisan 32-18 approval to state budget plan
Editor’s note: The Senate took a final 32-17 vote Friday morning to approve its budget plan. Senate Bill 105 now heads to the House. The N.C. Senate voted Thursday to pass the body’s state budget plan by a vote of 32-18, with four Democrats joining all Republicans in supporting the plan. Sens. Ben Clark, D-Cumberland,...
News
Checks on governor’s emergency powers Included in Senate budget proposal
Included in the N.C. Senate budget bill is the core of proposed Senate reforms to place limitations on the governor’s emergency authority, namely firmer language requiring approval of the Council of State — a group of 10 statewide elected officers, including the lieutenant governor, auditor, and attorney general — for emergency executive orders. Formerly reserved...
News
Senate passes General Fund budget by veto-proof margin
After roughly two hours of debate, Thursday evening the Republican-led Senate passed a $22.9 billion General Fund budget for the 2017-19 fiscal cycle by an initial 34-15 party-line vote, more than the 30 votes that would be needed to override a veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Discussions of Senate Bill 257 fell along predictable patterns....
News
Larger Teacher Pay Raises, Faster Tax Cuts in Senate Budget
Early Friday morning, the state Senate approved its version of the $22.2 billion General Fund budget, setting the stage for negotiations with the House on a spending plan that legislative leaders hope will be completed before the new fiscal year begins on July 1. The final 26-13 vote, taken just after midnight, occurred after minimal...
News
Senate Budget’s Big Split With House: Cuts, Freezes In UNC Tuition
UPDATE: Links to the Senate budget here and the “money report” here (PDF files). Senate leaders on Tuesday began unveiling their $22.2 billion General Fund budget, including a nearly 20 percent pay boost for teachers over two years, a middle-class tax cut, and a tuition freeze for UNC system students. The Senate budget lowers in-state tuition...
