Governor McCrory Will Sign New Budget Into Law | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, NC     Governor Pat McCrory announced today that he will sign the General Assembly's $21 billion conference budget when it hits his desk, as the proposal is within the parameters he set out over the last several months.

    "It's a victory for the people of North Carolina," said Governor McCrory, when talking of the budget. "I laid out specific parameters throughout this process, including a significant pay increase for teachers, no reduction of teacher assistants, preservation of Medicaid eligibility standards and no tax increases, and this budget does just that. I'd like to thank the dedicated staff and the General Assembly for the countless hours of work that was put into this budget."

    Going into the next legislative session, Governor McCrory said he will ask for a constitutional amendment that would prescribe the length of legislative sessions. He also will request an alternative budget from the legislative minority party.

    Following is a summary Governor McCrory's budget priorities that were incorporated in the 2014 Appropriations Act:

    Education

• 5.5 percent average teacher pay increases, plus longevity (6.92 percent including longevity)
• Overall education budget increased by $305 million
• Consolidating a 36-step pay system into 6-Steps as proposed by the Career Pathways For Teachers plan
• HBCU internships and career-based opportunities
• Provides veterans with in-state tuition at NC Community Colleges and UNC System universities
• Supports Next Generation Power Electronics Innovation Institute at NC State
• Strengthens community college programs in high-demand fields like science, math and technology
• Makes it easier for universities to transition "Game Changing Research" from lab to marketplace
• Create incentive fund for school systems to improve after school care for our children

    Environment & Energy

• Oil, gas and mining exploration and regulation
• Expanded programs to protect and preserve our state's water resources
• Assists homeowners with cleanup costs from leaking underground storage tanks
• Aquatic weed control program
• Process to protect Oregon Inlet
• Support for coastal, harbor and waterway protection

    Economy

• Support for new economic development organization that recruits new companies and helps existing companies expand
• Additional programs to promote job creation and significant capital investment
• Supports NC Film Industry

    Social Services

• Protects Medicaid eligibility
• Establishes Medicaid Contingency Reserve fund
• Launches Collegiate Wellness program aimed at reducing substance abuse
• Additional resources for critical computer systems that support services like Medicaid and food stamps
• Support for various child welfare and protection programs
• Additional foster care assistance payments
• Funding for Veterans Homes in Black Mountain and Kinston

    Operations

• $1,000 salary increase for state employees
• Provides repairs for the Battleship North Carolina
• Additional resources for repairs and renovations of state government and university buildings
• Online renewal of driver's licenses

    Public Safety

• Pay step increase for Highway Patrol
• Vehicles for probation and parole officers
• ALE positions restored
• Misdemeanants in county jail instead of state prisons

    What's Not Included

• Career Pathways for Teachers pilot program
• Higher pay for teachers with master's degree in field (for those who haven't already started graduate program)
• Additional funding for school textbooks
• Historic Tax Credits aimed at revitalizing our towns and communities
• Protections against puppy mills
• Funding for Coal Ash bill

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov