KTS Strategies brings years of experience providing clients in a diverse range of industries with comprehensive policy and advocacy advice before federal, state, and local agencies. In North Carolina, we advise local municipalities, corporate transportation entities, nonprofit organizations, statewide associations, government vendors, and Fortune 500 companies before the North Carolina General Assembly and executive branch.

Below is an update on the activity at the NC General Assembly this week.

Budget Passed
This week, the General Assembly passed the compromise version of the state budget in a series of votes on Thursday and Friday. Highlights of the $30 billion spending plan include 7% teacher pay raises, income tax rate reduction to 3.99% by 2025, $2 billion investment in water and sewer infrastructure, major expansion of private school vouchers, and enactment of Medicaid Expansion. The budget did not include the proposal to authorize more casinos or legalize video lottery terminals (VLTs) in North Carolina. Governor Roy Cooper announced in a statement that he would let the budget become law without his signature, and he directed the state Department of Health and Human Services to begin the process of expanding Medicaid today.