Reported by Vibe NC | Brought to you by SupportNewBern.com | May 28, 2026 | Original reporting: Carolina Public Press
For New Bern residents — from the teachers shaping our children’s futures to the state employees keeping our community running — a budget deal brewing in Raleigh could soon put more money in your pocket. After more than 300 days past deadline, North Carolina’s top legislative leaders say they’ve reached a working framework. But is it real? Here’s what you need to know.
Table of Contents
The Framework at a Glance
State Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall announced Tuesday that they’ve reached what they’re calling a “starting point” — an outline of agreement on the major sticking points that have kept North Carolina without a state budget since the July 1, 2025 deadline. As of Wednesday, Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch’s tracking clock read 317 days past due.
Batch made clear she won’t declare victory until she sees the final language in writing, calling the current announcement “glitter and candy” aimed at energizing Republican voters ahead of November elections.
Both Berger and Hall say they expect a final budget ready for a vote by mid-June.
What New Bern Residents Should Watch
Teachers & Educators
If you’re a teacher in Craven County or anywhere across Eastern NC, this one’s for you. The proposed framework calls for an average 8% raise over the biennium, plus a $500–$1,000 bonus based on years of service. Early career teachers would see the biggest bump — starting pay would rise to $48,000, which would rank as the highest starting teacher salary in the South.
That said, not everyone is celebrating. The NC Association of Educators called the proposal “smoke and mirrors,” pointing to years without back pay and an ongoing affordability crisis.
Law Enforcement & State Employees
State employees would receive an average 3% raise plus a $1,000–$1,750 bonus, while state retirees would see a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment. Law enforcement across the state stands to gain significant pay increases:
- State Troopers: 18% raise
- Correctional Officers: 15% raise
- Probation & Parole Officers: 10% raise
- SBI & ALE Officers: 20% raise
- Local Law Enforcement: $1,750 bonus
None of the raises would be retroactive.
Rural Healthcare & Eastern NC
A $208 million investment in children’s and rural healthcare is included in the framework. Notably, this package includes support for the NC Care Initiative — a joint effort between UNC Health and East Carolina University to provide struggling rural hospitals, including those right here in Eastern NC, with a critical lifeline.
Taxes & Your Wallet
Under the proposed framework, North Carolina’s personal income tax rate would fall from 3.99% to 3.49% and hold steady through 2029, then gradually decrease toward 2.99% by 2034. Lawmakers also agreed to place two constitutional amendments on the November ballot:
- A permanent cap on the state income tax rate at 3.5%
- A limit on how much local governments can raise property tax levies
Critics, including the NC Budget & Tax Center, warn that locking the income tax rate into the state constitution removes the flexibility lawmakers may need to respond to economic shifts — and could force future leaders to rely on regressive sales taxes to fund healthcare, childcare, and public services.
What’s Still Unresolved
The framework is not a final budget. Several issues remain unsettled, including:
- The fate of $500 million in NC Innovation funding for university research commercialization
- The scope of data center tax exemptions
- How Governor Josh Stein will respond — he retains veto power over the final budget
- How House Democrats will vote if the governor vetoes
Budget committee chairs are expected to begin meeting soon to resolve outstanding appropriations. Berger and Hall both said they expect the process to wrap up around mid-June — putting the November elections squarely in the rearview mirror, or not.
Stay Informed. Stay Engaged. Stay New Bern.
The decisions made in Raleigh don’t stay in Raleigh — they shape the classrooms, roads, hospitals, and paychecks across Craven County and all of Eastern NC. Staying informed is one of the most powerful things you can do as a community member.
And while you’re staying plugged in to what’s happening across the state, don’t forget what’s happening right here at home. New Bern is home to hardworking local businesses, restaurants, and services that need your support every single day. Explore, shop, and celebrate local at SupportNewBern.com — because a thriving community starts with us.
Mark Your Calendar: Keep an eye on mid-June for the expected final budget vote. We’ll keep you updated right here on Vibe NC and SupportNewBern.com.
Original reporting by Carolina Public Press, used under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Rewritten for the Vibe NC community by SupportNewBern.com.
