North Carolina signs $34.4B budget; Stein approves
PUBLISHED Jul 7, 2026, 11:29 AM ET
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Raleigh, N.C. Gov. Josh Stein signed a $34.4 billion state budget on Tuesday morning after the North Carolina General Assembly passed the measure on Thursday, July 2; legislators had proposed the plan on June 30, the last day of the fiscal year. The enacted plan directs more than $19 billion to education and redirects nearly $36 million from unused Opportunity Scholarship funds back into public schools. The law sets aside about $3 billion across reserve funds and leaves approximately $1 billion unappropriated to provide legislative flexibility; major allocations include $9.3 billion for Health and Human Services and $4.15 billion for Justice and Public Safety. Governor Stein praised teacher pay increases but noted some raises lag inflation and criticized provisions he described as stripping executive authority; implementation and agency adjustments proceed this week.
By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- June 30: Budget proposed on the final day of the fiscal year.
- July 2: North Carolina General Assembly passed the $34.4 billion budget.
- Tuesday morning (this week): Gov. Josh Stein signed the budget into law.
- Following passage: Budget allocations publicized, including education and reserve details.
- This week: Implementation begins and administration/legislative reactions recorded.
News Intelligence
- This new budget impacts your wallet and your community. Over $19 billion is going to education, with some funds redirected from unused scholarships. There's also a focus on health, justice, and public safety. Check how your local schools and services may benefit.
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Teachers and public school programs benefit from increased education funding and teacher pay raises; hurricane-affected communities receive designated recovery funds and reserves are set aside for future contingencies.
Some state employees may face raises that do not keep pace with inflation and hundreds of state job cuts could displace workers and affect public services.
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