Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

in committee · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 946: Keep Our Schools Standing Act.

SB 946, titled the Keep Our Schools Standing Bond Act of 2026, proposes to issue up to $50 billion in state bonds to fund public school construction, repairs, renovations, and security improvements in North Carolina. The funds would be distributed as grants to counties through the Department of Public Instruction, while excluding expenses for salaries, trailers, and administrative buildings. This legislation requires approval from North Carolina voters via a special election before the State Treasurer can issue the bonds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $50B in bonds to fund school construction and security, directly increasing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $50B in bonds for school construction, repairs, and security, directly strengthening educational infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds State Budget School Funding

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 915: 2026 Governor's Budget.

SB 915 establishes the 2026 Governor's Budget for North Carolina, allocating specific funding amounts to state departments, institutions, and agencies for their current operations. The bill directly affects a wide range of entities, including public schools, universities, health and human services agencies, and justice system bodies, by providing financial resources for their services. Key provisions include detailed dollar amounts for each fiscal year of the 2025-2027 biennium, with savings reverting to the state fund if not fully utilized. This legislation sets the financial framework for state government activities but does not specify new programs or policy changes beyond the budget allocations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes the 2026 Governor's Budget, explicitly allocating funding to state departments and agencies for operations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes the 2026 Governor's Budget, explicitly allocating financial resources to public schools, universities, and education agencies.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill allocates specific funding to health and human services agencies, directly strengthening and supporting healthcare operations.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates funding to the Transportation Dept. and Highway Fund, directly supporting transportation infrastructure and operations.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill includes Veterans in budget appropriations, indicating funding allocation for veteran-related services.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending State Budget

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1137: Appropriation to the Lake Norman Community Development Corporation.

This bill allocates $4 million from the state's General Fund to the Lake Norman Community Development Corporation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funding is divided equally, with $2 million designated for the Smithville Revitalization Plan to acquire property and build affordable homes, and another $2 million for additional affordable housing projects determined by the Corporation. Up to 15% of the total appropriation may be used for administrative expenses, and the funds become available starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $4M from the General Fund to fund affordable housing and community development, directly advancing state budgeting and fiscal management for public services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $4M to fund affordable housing projects and property acquisition for the Lake Norman Community Development Corporation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 1000: Environmental Management Commission Staffing.

This bill allows the chair of North Carolina's Environmental Management Commission to hire temporary employees using the state's Temporary Solutions Program. It updates the commission's staffing rules to give the chair more flexibility in acquiring short-term staff while keeping salary and travel expenses under existing state regulations. Additionally, the legislation reduces the recurring annual funding for dedicated commission staff by $5,000 from the state's General Fund. These changes directly affect the commission's administrative operations and its budget allocation for personnel.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces recurring annual funding for commission staff by $5,000, which constitutes defunding a government program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1162: Standing Up For Wilson County Volunteer Fire Departments.

This bill appropriates $15 million to Wilson County to support its volunteer fire departments with equipment upgrades. The funds are specifically designated for improving emergency lighting on fire trucks to enhance visibility when vehicles are stationary and covering costs for maintaining or replacing fire equipment and vehicle parts. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and directs the Office of State Budget and Management to provide these nonrecurring funds to the county.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $15M to fund volunteer fire department equipment upgrades and maintenance, directly increasing public service funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 928: Funds for Goodwill Industries.

This North Carolina bill proposes to allocate $200,000 from the state's General Fund to Goodwill Industries, Inc. The money is designated as a one-time grant for the 2026-2027 fiscal year specifically to support workforce development and job training programs in Forsyth County. The funds would be managed by the Office of State Budget and Management before being directed to the organization. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $200,000 from the General Fund to support workforce development and job training programs.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates $200k to fund workforce development and job training programs, directly advancing employment standards and worker readiness.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Workforce Development

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 918: Winston-Salem/Forsyth Joint EOC Funds.

This bill allocates one million dollars from the state's General Fund to Forsyth County to help the county and the City of Winston-Salem build a shared emergency operations center. The funding is designated as a nonrecurring grant for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and is intended to improve coordination between the city and county during emergencies. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and currently awaits further committee review in the Senate.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1M from the General Fund to fund a shared emergency operations center, directly advancing state budget appropriations for public safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 920: SNAP Administrative Funding/Forsyth County.

This bill appropriates $3,888,010 from North Carolina's General Fund to help Forsyth County cover lost federal money for running the SNAP program. The funds are specifically designated to reimburse the county for administrative expenses that were reduced due to changes in federal law. The state Department of Health and Human Services will distribute the money directly to Forsyth County, but only up to the exact amount of the loss incurred. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, ensuring the county has financial support for its social services operations during the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds to reimburse a county for lost federal SNAP money, directly funding an essential public service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1058: Critical Funds for Mecklenburg County.

This bill directs state funding to several nonprofit organizations and entities in Mecklenburg County for specific projects during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allocates money to construct a new main library, complete a community health center, plan a highway interchange, support affordable housing, fund operational costs for a community center, and improve facilities at a nature museum. The funds are drawn from various state accounts, including the General Fund and the Highway Fund, and the legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly directs state funding to construct libraries, health centers, and housing, directly advancing budget allocations for public services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates state funding to support affordable housing projects in Mecklenburg County.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates state funds specifically for constructing a highway interchange, directly advancing transportation infrastructure.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Affordable Housing Roads & Highways

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 962: Investing in North Carolina Act.

This bill, titled the Investing in North Carolina Act, establishes a new salary schedule for public school teachers and provides raises for state employees, community college staff, and University of North Carolina employees. The proposed teacher salary schedule sets monthly pay based on years of experience, ranging from $4,600 for new teachers to $6,370 for those with 29 or more years of service, while also adding specific supplements for certified teachers, school nurses, counselors, and other instructional support personnel. These salary increases are contingent on the failure of the 2026-2027 Current Operations Appropriations Act to pass, meaning the changes would only take effect if that budget bill does not become law. Additionally, the bill includes a 6% cost-of-living adjustment for eligible state-funded employees effective July 1, 2026, and allocates $921.2 million in recurring funds to implement the teacher salary raises.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases funding for public education and state employees through salary raises, directly advancing the budget topic.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes new salary schedules and provides raises for public school teachers and higher education staff, directly enhancing educator compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education Teachers

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