State Budget
Stay up to date with WRAL's North Carolina state budget news and reporting coverage.
Latest stories
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NC lawmakers advance changes to new state budget, election rules
Changes to the new state budget include the addition of tens of millions of dollars in earmarks to host sporting events in the state. Critics say the money could be spent better elsewhere.
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NC Senate finalizes bill with new power grabs, millions in taxpayer dollars for sporting events
Bills making changes to the new state budget, including spending tens of millions on golf and military games and stripping power from Democratic politicians including Gov. Josh Stein, passed the state Senate Wednesday.
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NC lawmakers target more of governor’s powers, shift charity support
The wide-ranging bill would spend tens of millions of dollars on sporting events, in addition to dealing out millions in taxpayer dollars to charities and targeting Democratic Gov. Josh Stein with what critics call new power grabs.
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Stein says he’ll take action on state budget Tuesday
North Carolina lawmakers passed a new $34 billion state spending plan several days ago. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein must now decide whether to veto or approve the budget.
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Prediction market betting would be authorized in NC’s new budget. What it means for sports betting
Tucked into the state budget is a proposal that could have massive implications for how prediction markets operate in North Carolina. Some lawmakers say it’ll create a new revenue stream. Others worry it’ll cost the state millions.
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'Playing politics with public safety': NC budget makes Wake DA office state's most understaffed
GOP leaders say they simply forgot to fund more prosecutors in Wake County. Democrats are skeptical of that, pointing to the county's central role in prosecuting political corruption cases.
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'Playing politics with public safety': Budget makes Wake County prosecutors NC's most understaffed
GOP leaders say the simply forgot to fund more prosecutors in Wake County. Democrats are skeptical of that, pointing to the county's central role in prosecuting political corruption cases.
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Raleigh MLB ballpark plan isn’t dead, House speaker says. He just doesn’t want NC to make first move
North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall isn’t saying no to baseball, he says. He’s just saying not yet, wary that approving a deal now could hurt the state's chances against other markets competing for a Major League Baseball franchise.
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‘Need to rein in spending’: NC lawmakers advance proposed $34 billion state budget
The budget contains raises and bonuses for state workers and teachers, one-time boosts to retired state workers' pensions, income tax cuts for all North Carolinians and tax increases for data centers and sports betting companies.
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NC lawmakers unveil long-awaited state budget with tax cuts, raises for state employees
The budget was finalized after weekend negotiations over spending priorities. The House is expected to begin voting on the measure this week. It doesn’t include a proposal to fund a Major League Baseball stadium.
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NC lawmakers reviewing state budget drafts promising tax cuts, state employee raises
Budget drafts reviewed by WRAL indicate NC lawmakers have kept intact the major spending priorities announced last month. It doesn’t include a proposal to fund a Major League Baseball stadium.
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Medicaid fraud bill advancing through NC Senate as lawmakers look to cut spending
Stopping more fraud in North Carolina’s Medicaid system could save the state millions. That’s a promising idea for state lawmakers grappling with new budget pressures.
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NC still doesn’t have a budget. Why a top GOP leader says ‘we’re on track’
For more than a year, state lawmakers have tried and failed to pass a comprehensive state budget. Republican leaders say they can get it done this month. Here’s what we know so far.
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Batch is bleeping frustrated over the budget. Why Republican lawmakers want her disciplined
The North Carolina Senate’s top Democrat is facing criticism for a self-censored video expressing outrage over Republicans’ failure to pass a comprehensive state budget. She calls it satire. Republicans aren’t taking it that way.
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Looking for revenue, NC lawmakers agree to raise taxes on sports gambling operators
Lawmakers have discussed other ways to increase revenue through gambling and the state lottery, people familiar with the negotiations tell WRAL.
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Durham teachers push county leaders for more money in budget
The request comes as state lawmakers reached a deal on an 8% average pay raise for teachers next school year. The Durham Association of Educators is asking the county for additional funding to raise the district’s minimum wage from $17.15 per hour to $19.22 per hour.
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NC raids rural health fund for children’s hospital, setting up debate over future healthcare dollars
A new state budget deal to boost funding for a children’s hospital in Apex will siphon money from a rural health initiative that was supposed to build rural health centers, including in Wilson, but which has stalled for several years.
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NC lawmakers propose 8% teacher pay raise, some educators say it falls short
North Carolina lawmakers are proposing an average 8% pay raise for teachers as part of the state budget. But teacher advocates argue the raises still are not enough to recruit and retain educators.
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North Carolina lawmakers reach 'starting point' for budget deal
North Carolina is the only state in the country without a new budget, but GOP lawmakers say they've reached a deal on taxes and state employee raises, two of the main sticking points.
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NC lawmakers announce 'starting point' for a budget deal, after a year of negotiations
North Carolina is the only state in the country without a new budget, but GOP lawmakers say they've reached a deal on taxes and state employee raises, two of the main sticking points.
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NC lawmakers nearing deal on state-employee raises, clearing key budget hurdle, sources tell WRAL
Early last week, leaders of the House and Senate were in agreement on raises of about 3% for most state employees and about 8% average increases for teachers, plus possible bonuses for teachers and other state employees based on experience, WRAL has learned.
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NC lawmakers nearing deal to fund Medicaid as short session kicks off
Republican legislators plan to approve Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s $319 million Medicaid ask. They also plan to add guardrails and oversight to target fraud and waste.
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NC lawmakers return to session this week. What top insiders are pushing for
The start of the 2026 short session will bring Medicaid, a new state budget, veto overrides and a push for property tax reform to the forefront in North Carolina politics.
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Timeline of events in Leandro lawsuit
The lawsuit was first filed in 1994, but the plan was thrown out on Thursday, April 2, 2026
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Election officials certify historic NC upset. What’s next for Berger, Page and taxpayers.
Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page’s upset of NC Senate Leader Phil Berger comes as legislators are at a stalemate over spending on state employee salaries, Medicaid, a children’s hospital, and more.
