NC lawmakers announce budget breakthrough, say teachers could get 8% pay raise

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina lawmakers announced they have made big progress on a deal for the long-awaited state budget. Senate President Phil Berger says the chambers reached an agreement on “big issues” and is confident a final deal will come together.

One of the biggest winners from the budget could be teachers. It includes an 8-percent pay raise for teachers, which is the largest raise in the last 20 years. Under the proposed budget, teachers would also receive a one-time bonus of up to $1,000, depending on years of service.

NC House Speaker Rep. Destin Hall says, “This budget is really an unprecedented one for education in this state. The average teacher pay raise in our budget will be 8%. It will take starting teachers to number one in the south, when you’re including the local supplement, but also taking care of veteran teachers as well.”

Senate democrats criticized the GOP-led announcement, noting it came more than 10 months after the budget deadline passed.