RALEIGH, NC – Governor Josh Stein announced his 2025-2027 budget proposal in Raleigh on Wednesday. The budget makes investments in the economy, families, education, workforce, health care, and public safety. “North Carolina is strong because our people are strong, and we must work to maintain o ur strength so that future generations will continue to reap the benefits of our work,” said Governor Josh Stein. “My budget is balanced and puts kids and families – their job opportunities, their education, their wallets, their health and their safety – first.” Stein says his proposal expands job opportunities by investing in apprenticeship programs, providing free community college to students pursuing credentials in high-demand industries, and supporting people rejoining the workforce after incarceration. The budget recommendation seeks to strengthen families and lower costs by expanding high-quality child care options and paying early childhood educators more, cutting taxes for middle class families, and building more homes. The budget’s targeted tax cuts will put more money back in people’s pockets and help offset the cost of child care and other basic necessities. Stein’s budget raises starting teacher pay to be the highest in the Southeast and rewards and retains teachers so that students have access to the best education. It also invests in student health by hiring more school nurses, counselors, and social workers and providing free breakfast in our public schools. It takes on school safety by upgrading school infrastructure and reduces the distraction of cell phones in classrooms. It also proposes a $4 billion bond to modernize old and outdated school buildings. The budget addresses the shortage of law enforcement officers with raises for state law enforcement officers, particularly correctional officers and youth counselors. It also recommends investments that get deadly fentanyl off the street, solve cold sexual assault cases, and fund body cameras to produce objective evidence. Governor Stein’s budget strengthens the health of all North Carolinians by promoting affordable health care, supporting rural clinics, helping people who are struggling with substance use disorder, and ensuring people have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. Click here to read the entire budget recommendations. ...read more read less