NC Lawmakers Pass Mini-Budget Amid Budget Stalemate

North Carolina lawmakers have passed a mini-budget with bipartisan support to address immediate funding shortfalls amid stalled negotiations over a full two-year budget. The package allocates over $200 million for education, $600 million for Medicaid rebasing, and funds additional DMV positions, but does not include general pay raises for teachers or state employees, though automatic step increases for teachers are maintained. Democrats argue the bill does not go far enough in addressing teacher pay and criticize the Republican focus on veto overrides. Republican leaders describe the mini-budget as essential to keep state services running, expressing hope that pay raises can be added retroactively in a final budget deal. The legislation now awaits action from Governor Josh Stein, who has 10 days to sign, veto, or let it become law without his signature. Despite the budget impasse, a 2016 state law ensures that government operations continue at previous funding levels, preventing a shutdown.