N.C. House Keeps Promises to Public Schools, State Employees, Private Sector

Raleigh, N.C.  – Families and businesses in North Carolina continued to see promising gains from the 2018 state legislative session as lawmakers remained committed to higher salaries for educators and state employees, increased investments in public schools and a successful pro-growth jobs agenda.

The accomplishments mark another year of promises kept by the Republican-led General Assembly to deliver tax relief, a better jobs climate and dramatically higher investments in North Carolina education systems.

“The promises kept by North Carolina lawmakers to dramatically increase educator and state employee pay, build a stronger public school system and grow our private sector will benefit citizens and businesses for years to come,” said state House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland).  

N.C. Economic Accomplishments 2017-2018

Business reforms, balanced budgets and a new transformative incentive tool to attract cutting-edge industries led another round of job-friendly legislation in the North Carolina General Assembly in the 2017-18 sessions.

  • Balanced the state budget with responsible spending that prioritizes public education, strengthens core services, and saves for future emergencies.
  • Built on business tax reforms that helped create more than half a million new jobs since 2011 by further reducing corporate income tax rates and simplifying and cutting the franchise tax on small businesses.

N.C. Education Accomplishments 2017-2018

North Carolina families are experiencing a new era for education thanks to five consecutive teacher pay raises, dramatically higher investments and expanded education options for students in pre-K, K-12 schools, and the state’s flagship university system.

  • Increased textbook and digital resource funding to $73.9 million in 2018, provided $44.8 million for the School Technology Fund to modernize education resources and appropriated $47.4 million/year to local systems for school supplies.

Other Accomplishments of 2017-2018 

  • Passed comprehensive energy reform to modernize state policy and protect ratepayers with competitive costs while encouraging continued development of renewable power through the market-driven ‘Competitive Energy Solutions Act.’
  • Improved prison safety, allocating $15 million in additional funding to enhance prison safety, and support security and support “man-down technology.”
  • Helped combat the opioid addiction crisis by passing the STOP Act to ensure highly-addictive prescription drugs are responsibly administered and not over-prescribed, and the HOPE Act to give law enforcement the tools they need to battle the opioid crisis.
  • Protected North Carolina’s family farms, passing the N.C. Farm Act of 2018 aimed at supporting the state’s largest industry and ensuring that farmers have legal protections in the state’s right to farm law.
  • Expanded the line of duty death benefit coverage for brave law enforcement officers and first responders, while doubling the benefit from $50,000 to $100,000 and ensuring all families of the victims from recent prison attacks receive that benefit.

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Results of Public Policy Reforms in North Carolina

North Carolina retains AAA bond rating

Venture capital on record pace in NC through first 6 months of 2018

North Carolina adds 12,000 jobs in May

North Carolina wins 2018 Prosperity Cup

North Carolina wins 2017 Prosperity Cup

Washington Times Letter: North Carolina worker-friendly

North Carolina a model for nation

North Carolina is the bellwether for tax reform

North Carolina adds 85,000 jobs over year

Tax collections on track in North Carolina

North Carolina ‘Best State for Business’ in Forbes’ 2017 rankings

Education accomplishments take center stage in Shelby Star

Study: North Carolina is best state for starting a business

North Carolina among 16 states prepared for economic recession: Moody’s

North Carolina top 5 for wage growth, says U.S. Census Bureau

North Carolina schools set new record for graduation success

North Carolina one of 12 states with unanimous ‘AAA’ bond rating

North Carolina receives four top-tier economic rankings in July 2017

How tax cuts put more money in the pockets of middle class North Carolinians

February unemployment rates decrease in all 100 North Carolina counties

North Carolina excels in ‘Fiscal Survey of States’

North Carolina ranks #1 for IT employment growth in tech industry report