Economy

Gov. Roy Cooper releases 2024-25 budget proposal that calls for $1B+ for public schools, 8.5% raise for teachers

By Patrick Zarcone / May 3, 2024 / Comments Off on Gov. Roy Cooper releases 2024-25 budget proposal that calls for $1B+ for public schools, 8.5% raise for teachers

Gov. Cooper’s budget proposal includes an 8.5% pay raise for teachers, an investment of over $1 billion in public schools – “instead of more taxpayer-funded private school vouchers” – and tax relief for small businesses and working families.

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NC Senate, House budget bills released – and they fail to address the state’s biggest needs

By Patrick Zarcone / June 1, 2023 / Comments Off on NC Senate, House budget bills released – and they fail to address the state’s biggest needs

“This Republican Senate budget is a historic disaster for public education. It fails to fund basic needs and will force school leaders to cut everything from bus routes to courses … the Senate budget slaps veteran teachers … in the face,” Gov. Cooper said.

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Gov. Cooper’s budget will raise teacher pay, cut taxes for the middle class, fully fund the Leandro Plan

By Patrick Zarcone / March 24, 2023 / Comments Off on Gov. Cooper’s budget will raise teacher pay, cut taxes for the middle class, fully fund the Leandro Plan

The governor’s budget proposal calls for an average teacher pay raise of 18%, which would make North Carolina’s teacher pay tops in the Southeast, instead of one of the worst.

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Democrats pass signature legislation addressing climate change, health care, taxes

By Patrick Zarcone / August 12, 2022 / Comments Off on Democrats pass signature legislation addressing climate change, health care, taxes

While many critical investments are needed, this bill marks one of the many steps to tackle climate change, make health care affordable and ensure corporations are paying their fair share.

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State Republicans unveil another lackluster budget

By Alanna Joyner / July 6, 2022 / Comments Off on State Republicans unveil another lackluster budget

State Republican legislative leaders released their state budget proposal on Tuesday, with measly pay raises for educators and state employees and no mention of Medicaid expansion. The proposed budget also fails to deliver on one of our state’s key constitutional obligations in fully funding our public schools.The budget increases pay for state employees by 1…

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New report ranks North Carolina 44th in spending per student

By Alanna Joyner / May 23, 2022 / Comments Off on New report ranks North Carolina 44th in spending per student

A new report from the U.S. Census Bureau ranks North Carolina 44th out of 50 states and the District of Columbia in spending per student.  According to the report, in fiscal year 2020, North Carolina provided $9,958 per student, compared to the national average of $13,494. When adjusted for inflation, The Pulse found that the…

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New Report Shows North Carolinians Pay Their Fair Share While Billionaires Skirt By

By Alanna Joyner / April 20, 2022 / Comments Off on New Report Shows North Carolinians Pay Their Fair Share While Billionaires Skirt By

Ahead of this year’s Tax Day, a report found that U.S. billionaires have gotten $1.7 trillion richer over the first two years of the pandemic, while four of the state’s billionaires got $6 billion richer, according to an analysis by Americans for Tax Fairness and Action NC. The dramatic increase in wealth comes in contrast…

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Republicans’ New Plan: Raise taxes on working people

By Alanna Joyner / March 15, 2022 / Comments Off on Republicans’ New Plan: Raise taxes on working people

While millions of Americans are recovering from the financial hardships caused by the pandemic, Republicans are pushing forth a new tax plan that will raise taxes for everyone.  Florida Senator Rick Scott, the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, released an “11-point plan to rescue America” that included a proposal for all Americans to…

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Build Back Better is a generational investment in North Carolina families

By Alanna Joyner / November 30, 2021 / Comments Off on Build Back Better is a generational investment in North Carolina families

Less than one week after President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal into law, the U.S. House passed President Biden’s Build Back Better Act, moving the bill one step closer to becoming law. The Build Back Better Act currently moving through Congress boasts an array of historic investments into child care, home care, affordable housing,…

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‘I will fight to fix its mistakes’: N.C. Gov. Cooper says he will sign state budget despite ‘missed opportunities’

By Alanna Joyner / November 22, 2021 / Comments Off on ‘I will fight to fix its mistakes’: N.C. Gov. Cooper says he will sign state budget despite ‘missed opportunities’

During a news conference Tuesday, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced that he will sign the final budget presented by state Republicans, despite what he called “missed opportunities and misguided policy”.  “I will sign this budget because, on balance, the good outweighs the bad,” Gov. Cooper said. “It moves North Carolina forward in important ways,…

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