New from EdNC
The Editor’s Notes
Speaker of the House Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, held a press conference on Tuesday to announce the beginnings of a budget deal. The deal comes after House and Senate Republicans failed to compromise on a state budget last year.
“This is a starting point. There’s still a lot that will need to be decided and discussed between the two chambers, but this agreement sets out a good framework for us to move forward,” Berger said. “I’m hopeful that as we begin the full budget conference process, we’ll be able to move quickly.”
Later, while talking to reporters, Berger said he expects a vote on the budget deal in mid-June.
Hall said the budget will be an “unprecedented” budget for education. He said the average pay raise for teachers will be 8% – later clarifying that raises would not be retroactive and will go into effect shortly after the budget bill is passed. He said teachers with over 16 years of experience would receive a bonus of $1,000 and teachers “under that experience level” would receive a bonus of $500.
Berger said the budget will bring starting pay for teachers to $48,000 before supplements.
Gov. Josh Stein released the following statement on the latest budget negotiations:
“It is past time that our teachers, state law enforcement officers, and state employees get a meaningful pay raise and recognition for their service to the people of North Carolina. Today’s announcement is only a framework, but if the final budget actually includes real salary increases, it would be welcome.”
He added, “The proposed constitutional amendment would put North Carolina in a financial straight jacket that could wreak havoc on our public schools and public safety. If we want to continue to be the best state to live, work, and raise a family for years to come, we must be fiscally responsible and not make working families bear an unfair burden.”
Stay tuned.
Need to know
EWA Announces 22nd Class of Reporting Fellows, including EdNC's Ben Humphries
Ben will be conducting an examination of local reentry councils in North Carolina, which aim to help formerly incarcerated people navigate community college programs, housing, work, and health.... Read the rest
-
Plaintiffs have filed a petition with the N.C. Supreme Court for a limited rehearing of the Court’s April 2 opinion
-
North Carolina teachers rally for "a seat at the table"
