(The Center Square) – North Carolina Senate leaders released their proposal for amendments to the two-year budget on Wednesday evening, with a key similarity of fully funding Opportunity Scholarships to extinguish the waiting list.
After that, even in education, things do not align with the respective plans of the Senate and House of Representatives.
There’s also a significant spending gap. The fiscal year ends June 30, and the current plan stays in place should an agreement come later or not come at all.
The Senate’s Appropriations Committee convened first thing Thursday morning, with an expected vote of the full chamber to come Monday evening. In addition to helping school choice, both chambers are also in agreement on child care supplements.
One key difference is the raises for teachers and state employees, with the House increasing already scheduled bumps and the Senate staying put.
Lawmakers have said they’re hopeful to end the short session by the Fourth of July. As for urgency on budget amendments, published reports say previous scheduling will render the full three-fifths majorities of Republicans in each chamber necessary for a veto override unlikely before September.
This is also the year all 170 seats are up for election. The intensity of campaigning, however, is varied.
The 2024-25 portion of the $60.7 billion two-year budget includes $17.9 billion for education. Teachers are collecting a total of 7% in raises in the two years combined. Originally with $100 million each year for the Opportunity Scholarships, the waiting list has grown to about 55,000 and lawmakers plan to push in enough money – about half a billion dollars – so each family can make a choice.
The full House approved its version of the $31.7 billion spending plan on Wednesday evening. Four Democrats were in favor, and no Republicans were against it. A second vote is on Thursday morning, finalizing, was 69-35 in favor.
