Quick update on the progress of the budget discussions. House leaders say the budget will be printed this weekend and released early next week. It will include a three percent raise for public school teachers and faculty members at universities and community colleges. Most other state employees will receive a hike of 2.75 percent or $1,100, whichever is greater.
Governor Mike Easley proposed a seven percent raise for teachers to bring their salaries closer to the national average and a 1.5 percent increase for state employees with a one time bonus of $1,000.
Reportedly, the House budget now includes roughly half of the $46 million Easley proposed to expand More at Four, his program to help at-risk kids. The report from the House subcommittee on education last week had no new funding for the program.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics.
