The new state budget passed both chambers in the North Carolina General Assembly this week, with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. In the House the second reading passed with a 92-23 vote, and 36-13 in the Senate.

In an interview with the News & Observer earlier this year Speaker Destin Hall laid out many of the priorities the House was advocating for. Speaker Hall said increasing starting teacher pay “is something that’s critical to (House Republicans). We want to be pro-education on all fronts — school choice and in our public schools. And so that’s one of the reasons that you see us holding out (in) the budget debate.”

Conservative House members kept their word, with the budget including record teacher pay raises and tax relief.

On X this week Speaker Destin Hall shared, “The House fought for and delivered one of the strongest budgets our state has seen in decades.  We secured historic raises for teachers and law enforcement, cut taxes, and strengthened public safety.  This budget was worth fighting for.”

Following the budget’s passage of third reading in both chambers the legislature adjourned until July 27th.