2024 End Of Year Legislative Update

End Of Year Update

The North Carolina General Assembly met before Thanksgiving, and have completed their budgetary work for the short-session. In summary, their efforts were not traditional, and we would not call this a traditional short-session budget.

Budget Recap

Teacher pay and other funding issues for districts were not a part of the budget technical corrections bill they passed. The major appropriations passed during the week pertained to Hurricane Helene and Opportunity Scholarships. 

The Opportunity Scholarship component was not part of the technical corrections bill, but it was funded when the legislature performed an override of the governor's veto (HB 10). The bill that funded this measure passed during the election season and included other measures such as the ICE legislation. It is frustrating to see support for the Opportunity Scholarship Program, and no consideration for addressing teacher pay in a meaningful way. 

The North Carolina General Assembly will return throughout December to address more overrides and to consider some constitutional amendments.  Below is a summary of the session that occurred before Thanksgiving:

Bills passed by the North Carolina General Assembly:

• Technical Corrections Bill (SB 382) 

• Additional General Assembly Appointments (HB 1078) 

• Confirm Roger Hawley, Director of SBI (HJR 1079)

• Confirm Director of Medicaid (HJR 1080)

• Adjournment Resolution (HJR 1081)

Additionally, the General Assembly overrode two bills previously vetoed by the Governor. Those two bills are included below:

• Require ICE Cooperation and Budget Adjustments (HB 10)

• Recording of Court-Filed Documents (SB 445)

The Governor vetoed the Technical Corrections bill. The Senate returned on December 2nd to override the Governor's veto and the House will return on December 11th to finish the override. After that, they will most likely be finished for the year.

Conclusion

As we close out the year, PENC is working to put forth a strong advocacy effort in 2025 just as we do every session. We will continue to work with legislators to push for the issues that matter most to North Carolina educators. There will be many new faces in different roles in the General Assembly, and we hope for positive outcomes.

PENC Advocacy Team:

Tammy Beach

Bryan Holloway

Trevor Fulcher 

Robert Mitchell