RALEIGH, NC – Governor Josh Stein today intensified his call for the North Carolina General Assembly to pass a state budget, emphasizing the immediate and critical needs of working North Carolinians, including educators, law enforcement, and Medicaid enrollees. With the 2025-2027 biennium budget overdue since July 1, the Governor underscored how the ongoing delay is negatively impacting essential state services and the lives of its citizens.

"The people of North Carolina need and deserve a state budget," Governor Stein stated. He warned that without an approved budget, teachers will begin the school year without promised pay raises, law enforcement agencies will struggle to recruit and retain personnel, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will continue to face staffing shortages and long wait times, and the state's vital Medicaid program could see significant cuts to essential health care services.

The Governor's plea was echoed by several individuals whose livelihoods and well-being are directly tied to the budget's passage. Rachel Candaso, the 2025 North Carolina Teacher of the Year, expressed the uncertainty facing educators. "Many educators are starting the year without knowing what their salary will be, or whether their years of service will be fully recognized," Candaso said, adding that the lack of a budget forces teachers into "the heartbreaking decision of whether they can afford to stay in the profession they love." North Carolina's starting teacher pay currently ranks among the lowest in the Southeast. Governor Stein's budget proposal aims to elevate starting teacher pay to the highest in the Southeast and restore master's pay, in addition to providing bonuses.

Concerns about public safety were voiced by Durham County Sheriff Training Division Captain Kimberly Lane. She highlighted the strain on law enforcement, noting that agencies are "doing more with fewer resources." Captain Lane emphasized that a budget is crucial to "encourage more people to get into the profession and stay," a critical need given reported high vacancy rates across counties. The Governor's budget includes pay raises for state law enforcement and signing bonuses for new recruits.

DMV customer Sarah Morgan shared her frustrations with the state's motor vehicle services, recounting multiple unsuccessful attempts to update her address and upgrade to a Real ID. "The problem with our DMV is a crisis in our state," Morgan asserted, urging legislators to "put aside party divisions and factions to pass this budget." Governor Stein's budget proposal addresses these issues with resources for additional DMV employees and improved working conditions to reduce wait times.

The potential impact on healthcare was a significant point of concern. Joanna Parker, a Medicaid recipient, shared her personal story of how Medicaid expansion enabled her to receive care for degenerative disc disease. "Medicaid expansion allows me to receive the care I need to remain healthy and be with my friends and family," Parker stated, appealing to lawmakers to "do what is right, so the more than 670,000 people like me continue to receive this life-saving health care." Recent federal legislation, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," could jeopardize healthcare for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians, making state action on Medicaid funding even more urgent.

Milltrene Newell, a Louisburg resident and senior citizen on a fixed income, expressed dismay over rising utility bills, lamenting, "The last thing I can afford is for my light bill to go up." She called on the General Assembly to prioritize supporting citizens' financial stability.

Governor Stein's proposed 2025-2027 budget, released in March, encompasses substantial pay raises for teachers, law enforcement, correctional officers, and caregivers. It also includes significant investments in workforce development, over half a billion dollars in tax credits for working families, initiatives to address the state's childcare crisis, and enhanced resources for public schools and teachers.

Despite operating under the previous budget, critical funding increases and new investments remain stalled. The Governor continues to advocate for a comprehensive budget that prioritizes North Carolina families, strengthens communities, and ensures access to essential services.