In a significant legislative milestone, Governor Stein has enacted North Carolina’s first comprehensive state budget in over two years by signing Senate Bill 257. This development marks a pivotal moment in the state’s fiscal management, with wide-ranging implications for various sectors.
Governor Stein issued a statement emphasizing the budget’s impact: “North Carolinians expect their elected officials to come together across our differences to deliver for people. This budget delivers the largest starting teacher pay raise in nearly 50 years and overall teacher pay raise in fifteen years, fully funds Medicaid for the year, and provides historic salary increases to public safety officers who sacrifice to keep our communities and prisons safe.” He highlighted additional commitments, including investments in community colleges, the DMV, child care, cybersecurity, a new veterans’ home, clean drinking water, and summer food programs for children.
Despite the advances, the Governor acknowledged the budget’s shortcomings. “This budget has real flaws, however. The legislature slashed more than 1,000 state government positions, making it harder for us to keep people safe and healthy. It also includes a number of unconstitutional and wrong-headed provisions like those shifting power from the executive branch or those that are hostile to local governments, especially Charlotte.”
The Governor expressed a forward-looking vision, stating, “Going forward, there is more work to do. We must continue to invest even more in public safety, public education, and other public services to be competitive with other states and to serve our people well. But as today’s budget proves, we can work together to get things done. I am eager to keep at it with the General Assembly to keep building on our momentum to create a North Carolina that’s safer, stronger, and more prosperous with opportunity for every person.”
In addition to Senate Bill 257, Governor Stein also signed House Bill 56, which addresses technical corrections in the 2026 budget.
View Governor Stein’s full remarks from today’s signing ceremony.
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