RALEIGH - As lawmakers return to the state capital this week, the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) is calling on them to prioritize resolving the ongoing impasse over the 2025–2027 biennial state budget and to hold Governor Josh Stein’s vetoes of several bills.
Nearly a month has passed since legislators in the House and Senate failed to reconcile their budget proposals before adjourning for a break. As a result, North Carolina continues to operate under the outdated 2023–2025 budget, leaving educators without long-overdue salary increases during a time of growing financial strain.
Additionally, Governor Stein has vetoed several bills that would have harmed schools, communities, and the democracy of North Carolina.
“Health care premiums for our educators are increasing. The cost of living keeps rising. Yet our educators’ salaries remain stagnant and our leaders refuse to invest in our kids. As lawmakers return to Raleigh today, they should be focusing on what matters: passing a state budget that provides critical raises for educators — so they can continue doing the work they love while supporting themselves and their families. Instead, they’ll take up veto overrides that ignore the needs of our public schools. We urge lawmakers to uphold the Governor’s vetoes and come back to the table with a plan that truly invests in educators and students.”
- Tamika Walker Kelly, NCAE President
