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City  Government

$30 billion NC budget prioritizes highways, children, tax cuts

The NC budget outlines funding for state-backed projects, including colleges, infrastructure, and other important aspects of NC’s government.

September 25, 2023 • 
Grace Powers, Allie Remhof
NC general assembly building where the NC budget was passed

The NC General Assembly approved the budget three months behind schedule.

Photo by Gerry Dincher

Table of Contents
Quick facts

NC’s $30 billion budget passed in the General Assembly on Friday, Sept. 22 and will go into effect on Monday, Oct. 2. The budget includes state employee pay raises, tax cuts, support for children, and more. Let’s talk about the biggest numbers in this new budget.

Quick facts

  • $2 billion in grants for water and sewer infrastructure will go to rural communities.
  • $700 million will go to highway maintenance projects.
  • $1.2 million will go to child care grants.
  • State employees will receive an average 7% raise across the state.
  • Personal income tax will be reduced to 3.99%.
  • Students who qualify for reduced-price programs will receive free lunches.
  • A section of I-40 will be named after Cherie Berry, the first female Commissioner of Labor in NC, who you may know from the elevators.
  • Breast pumps and related breastfeeding equipment will be exempt from sales tax.

If you’re feeling up for it, read the full 625-page document for more details.