The Republican-led state legislature will need to work on the budget with bipartisan support, as they no longer hold a supermajority, complicating the approval process.

Stein's budget proposal does not currently allocate specific funds for Hurricane Helene recovery, but he intends to submit a separate request for that aid in the future.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has unveiled a budget proposal for the 2025-2027 biennium that focuses on supporting families through various initiatives, including apprenticeship programs, free school breakfast, and childcare tax credits.

The North Carolina General Assembly ultimately has the authority to decide on the budget allocations, and significant disagreements over budget proposals have been common in the past.

Healthcare access is a priority in the budget, with investments aimed at improving affordability, supporting rural clinics, and addressing substance use disorders.

Despite potential resistance, there may be opportunities for bipartisan collaboration on budget items such as hurricane response and state employee pay raises.

If approved, the budget is projected to result in a surplus of approximately $548 million, indicating a potential for future investments in critical areas.

A significant aspect of the plan is to increase starting teacher salaries from $42,800 to $53,000, which includes an average raise of 10.6% over two years and a $10 million annual allocation to restore master's pay supplements for over 1,000 advanced degree teachers.

Stein has emphasized the necessity of maintaining current tax rates to prevent fiscal shortfalls, arguing that proposed tax cuts would primarily benefit high-income earners and corporations.

In addition to education funding, the budget includes a $524 million recovery bill aimed at assisting local governments and private property repairs in western North Carolina, although it does not provide small business grants.

The recovery package is crucial for communities affected by Hurricane Helene, which caused significant damage, particularly to farms in Haywood County.

Local leaders have voiced the need to prioritize existing school maintenance alongside new construction efforts, highlighting the importance of balancing these needs.