North Carolina passes $34 B budget funding community colleges, teachers and infrastructure

The North Carolina General Assembly approved a $34 billion budget for 2026‑27, the largest in the state's history. The plan allocates $1.86 billion to the North Carolina Community College System, including $57.5 million for the Propel NC workforce‑driven funding model and a 3% across‑the‑board salary increase for state employees. One‑time bonuses of $1,750 for staff earning $65,000 or less and $1,000 for higher earners are also included, along with a 2.5% cost‑of‑living supplement for retirees.

The budget features the largest teacher pay raise in two decades, positioning North Carolina at the top of the Southeast for starting teacher salaries. Additional funding boosts law‑enforcement pay, supports infrastructure projects, and provides localized grants, such as $1 million for a health alliance serving pregnant mothers, $600,000 for sinkhole repairs, and $350,000 for a new dental hygiene program at Rowan‑Cabarrus Community College. The budget also funds a new system president search after Jeff Cox’s retirement, with interim leader Bill Carver remaining in place.