RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Highlights of the $23.5 billion spending plan for the 2017-18 fiscal year contained in the two-year budget proposal that Gov. Roy Cooper released Wednesday. Unless otherwise noted, spending figures are for the amount spent or saved in 2017-18 compared to what was projected or needed to keep operating at current levels:
PUBLIC EDUCATION:
- creates $150-per teacher stipend for instructional supplies, at a cost of $14 million.
- $29.4 million to cover anticipated student enrollment growth in public schools next fall.
- $13 million in North Carolina Education Lottery and Indian gambling receipts for textbook and digital curriculum.
- $10 million for intensive planning and coaching personnel at low-performing schools.
- $9.8 million from lottery funds for pilot in 2016 law that compensates teachers serving in advanced roles and based on performance.
- $8.4 million to cover enrollment growth at community college campuses.
- $7.5 million to help increase the percentage of community college students obtaining degrees through academic advising, counseling and other support.
- $2.5 million in lottery funds to help community college students pay for classes to receive workplace credentials.
- $15.3 million to increase continuing education programs in the community college system.
- $46.6 million to cover an increase of almost 4,100 full-time students at University of North Carolina campuses.
- covers current commitments for Opportunity Scholarships, which helps thousands of K-12 children in low- and middle-income families attend private or religious schools with taxpayer funds.
- $4 million for East Carolina University medical school.
- $2.8 million to help Elizabeth City State University increase enrollment and help students.
- $4 million for UNC Cancer Research Fund.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
- reduces the backlog for the North Carolina pre-kindergarten program and eliminates the backlog in the 2018-19 fiscal year by funding nearly 4,700 slots for children, at a cost of $18.2 million.
- $15 million more for Smart Start early childhood education initiative.
- $8.7 million to continue child welfare program improvements.
- expands Medicaid eligibility to cover 624,000 more people under the federal health care overhaul law. Cooper said medical providers would cover the state’s match to obtain federal expansion funds.
- $14.1 million to provide mental health services and local law enforcement grants to treat and combat opioid-related drug abuse and overdoses.
JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY
- $2.9 million to raise private attorney payment rates to represent indigent clients by $5 per hour.
- $1.8 million for State Crime Lab.
- $1 million to fund programs should the General Assembly pass a law that would end the practice of prosecuting all 16- and 17-year-olds in adult court.
NATURAL AND ECONOMIC RESOURCES
- $7 million for 9 percent increase in overall spending in the Department of Environmental Quality, including staffing increases in dam safety and sediment control programs and funds for coal ash management law enforcement.
- $20 million to help acquire land and perform infrastructure work to help attract a major manufacturing employer to the state, such as from the aerospace or automotive industry.
- $30 million to help invest in smaller-acreage sites that can attract economic development sites.
- $10 million for proposed NC Invents Program, which would help universities identify technologies that could be marketed in the private sector.
- $20 million in local and telecommunications grants and planning needs to expand broadband access to small town and rural areas.
- $13.1 million for Clean Water Management Trust Fund.
TRANSPORTATION
- increases Highway Trust Fund funds for high-priority road and other transportation projects by $153.7 million.
- $1.1 million for construction of new driver’s license office in Charlotte.
- $1.2 million to promote online and alternative services of the Division of Motor Vehicles.
- $2.6 million for ferry improvements.
OTHER AGENCIES & ITEMS
- sets aside $313 million more in state’s “rainy day” reserve fund.
- places $150 million in reserves to address unfunded liability for health care coverage for state retirees.
- $115 million for relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Matthew, tropical storms and mountain wildfires.
- authorizes $351 million in debt for building renovations and construction within state government and the UNC system. The borrowing wouldn’t require voter approval.
- $24 million to pay for debt service from borrowing in $2 billion debt package approved by voters in March 2016.
- $1 million to preserve the state’s military installations during the next round of base closings.
- $4.4 million for the Department of Revenue to combat identity theft and tax fraud.
- proposed NC Getting Ready for Opportunities and Work program, which would help pay for tuition and fees for community college students not covered by financial aid, would begin in 2018-19.
- proposed NC Best and Brightest Program, which would forgive loans for 500 college students who agree to teach in the public schools after graduation, would begin in 2018-19.
TAXES
- phases out the film and entertainment grant program and replace it with a tax incentives program for productions filmed in North Carolina.
- enacts child care and dependent care tax credit starting in 2018. It would cost $52.5 million in the 2018-19 fiscal year.
SALARIES & BENEFITS
- increases public school teacher pay by 5 percent on average, with an expected range from 3 percent to 7 percent depending on experience, at a cost of $271 million.
- provides average 6.5 percent increase for principals and assistant principals, at a cost of $20 million.
- gives rank-and-file state employees a pay increase of 2 percent or $800, whichever is greater, along with $500 one-time bonuses. The combined cost is $256.5 million.
- $16 million to bring state employee salaries closer to market-rate averages.
- $27 million for experienced-based raises for court clerks, magistrates, state troopers and law enforcement agents and correctional officers.
- 1.5 percent cost-of-living increase for retired public employees and teachers.
- lowers the years of service before a law enforcement officer could retire and receive retirement benefits from 30 years to 25 years.
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Source: Gov. Roy Cooper’s recommended budget, Office of State Budget and Management.
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