On April 27, 2016, Governor McCrory released his proposed amendments to the second year of North Carolina’s 2015-17 biennial budget. Statewide general funding in 2016-17 would total $22.3 billion – up 1.9 percent from the originally approved amount and up 2.8 percent from 2015-16.

K-12 education would receive nearly $9 billion in 2016-17, up 6.5 percent over the original amount and up 5.2 percent over 2015-16. This includes $246.6 million for teacher salary increases, bringing the average salary to $50,000.

Community colleges would receive nearly $9 billion, up 3.1 percent over the original amount and up 2.8 percent over 2015-16. Universities would receive $2.8 billion, up 3.8 percent over the original amount and up 1.4 percent over 2015-16.

The governor proposed one-time bonuses for state-funded employees, including: 

• $5,000 for teachers with 25 or more years of experience 
• $1,100 for all other teachers
• 3.5 percent of annual salary for certified school personnel and for principals and administrators
• 3 percent of annual salary for other school and local school district employees
• 3 percent of annual salary for state employees, including university and community college faculty and staff

Further details on this proposal will be included in a forthcoming edition of Legislative Report.