McCrory Unveils 2-Year NC Government Budget Plan
RALEIGH, (WPTF) - Gov. Pat McCrory proposed a $20.6 billion state budget that essentially holds the line with no new major spending initiatives.
McCrory's increases spending by 2 percent which includes a 1 percent pay hike for state employees. McCrory projects a 3.6 percent increase in revenue.
His blueprint would add 1,800 additional classroom teachers and infuse $2.7 million into the Commerce Department to craft a new branding strategy. A additional 5,000 at risk 4-year-olds would be able to get into pre-kindergarten programs but the budget cuts
$117 million that now funds teacher assistants.
State agencies will see their budgets cut 1 percent to 3 percent from the current year’s $20.2 billion spending plan, leading to some jobs cuts.
Other items in the governor's budget include:
--Giving state retirees a 1 percent cost of living adjustment for pensions
--Adding money to provide Saturday service at 30 Division of Motor Vehicles offices to improve service
--Eliminate the estate tax at a cost of $109 million over two years
--Close four historic sites across the state and eliminate 12 jobs
--Provide $10 million to compensate victims of the state’s defunct sterilization program, a small portion of what advocates say is needed
--Allocates $300 million to renovate and repair state buildings
--Close six state prisons, including five in eastern North Carolina, citing a decline in the state’s prison population.
--Puts $400 million in reserves.
--In-state tuition would remain the same but out of state tuition would increase at the state's universities.
To view and download the entire budget, visit http://governor.nc.gov/budget.
