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Still awaiting a budget in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oregon | North Carolina

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2 months ago

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www.thecentersquare.com – By David Beasley | The Center Square contributor – (The Center Square – ) 2025-07-21 09:11:00


North Carolina is among three states—along with Pennsylvania and Oregon—facing delays in passing a state budget for the new fiscal year starting July 1. While North Carolina law prevents a government shutdown by continuing previous spending levels, disagreements remain over employee raises and income tax cuts. The legislature’s proposed budget is $65.9 billion, while Gov. Josh Stein suggested $67.9 billion. The state’s budget was also delayed by 84 days two years ago. Unlike North Carolina, Oregon’s budget impasse has led to 483 layoffs in its transportation department, prompting Gov. Tina Kotek to declare it an emergency affecting essential services.

(The Center Square) – North Carolina is one of three states late on an enacted budget for July 1.

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania and Oregon are also late, according to research by The Center for Square and the National Association of State Budget Officers. Michigan’s fiscal year begins Oct. 1 and is the other state without a spending plan in place for the coming year.

The North Carolina fiscal year runs July 1-June 30, and two-year budgets are required by law in the odd-numbered years. These are also known as the long sessions of the two-year legislative calendar.

“As states enter fiscal 2026, they are contending with a combination of increasing spending demands, slowing revenue growth, and federal fiscal uncertainty,” the national organization said. “They are facing budget pressures in a number of areas such as Medicaid, employee health care, education, housing affordability, and disaster preparation and response.”

The Legislature adjourned in late June without having passed a budget bill.

However, under legislation passed in 2016, there will be no state government shutdown, with spending remaining the same as it was under the previous budget.

The North Carolina House and Senate disagree on raises for state employees and the size of income tax cuts.

The legislative budgets total $65.9 billion while Gov. Josh Stein proposed $67.9 billion in spending.

Two years ago, the North Carolina budget was 84 days late before it was signed into law.

Although the lack of a budget has not affected government services in North Carolina, it has in Oregon, where the impasse prompted the state’s department of transportation to announce 483 layoffs.

“Consequences to essential transportation services are imminent across the state,” Gov. Tina Kotek said in a July 7 statement. “This is not business as usual. These layoffs constitute an emergency in Oregon’s transportation system that will hurt every part of Oregon.”

The post Still awaiting a budget in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oregon | North Carolina appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com


Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The article presents a factual overview of budget delays in several states, including North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Michigan. It reports on the positions and disagreements of legislators, such as conflicts over employee raises and tax cuts, and includes statements from government officials without endorsing any particular side. The tone remains neutral, focusing on facts and consequences rather than advocating for a specific ideological stance or policy approach. Therefore, it maintains a centrist position by simply informing readers of current budgetary issues without expressing bias.

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News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

Reagan era credit pumps billions into North Carolina housing | North Carolina

Published

14 hours ago

on

September 7, 2025

By

www.thecentersquare.com – By David Beasley | The Center Square contributor – (The Center Square – ) 2025-09-07 07:36:00


The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), established in 1987, significantly aids affordable housing development in North Carolina. Administered by the NC Housing Finance Agency, it supports $1.47 billion in apartment construction, creates nearly 22,000 jobs, and generates $95.3 million in tax revenue annually. The program allocates federal tax credits based on state population, with North Carolina receiving about $34 million yearly. Developers sell these credits to large corporations, reducing borrowing costs and keeping rents affordable. Despite rising construction costs and demand, the program enjoys bipartisan support, recently receiving a 12% funding increase, though demand still exceeds available resources.

(The Center Square) – A little known federal tax credit that existed since Ronald Reagan was president has a long way toward creating more affordable housing in North Carolina, the state director told The Center Square.

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit will help developers build $1.47 billion in affordable apartments in North Carolina this year and 21,960 jobs and produce $95.3 million in state and local tax revenue, said Scott Farmer, executive director of the NC Housing Finance Agency, which administers the program launched in 1987.

“What it effectively did was create a state-by-state allocation of federal tax credits to create, effectively, equity, for a public private partnership to develop apartments and also rehabilitate existing apartments,” Farmer said.

Once approved for the tax credits, the developers can then sell them on the private market, at a reduced price, such as 80 cents on the dollar.

“They are generally purchased by large corporate entities that have large tax obligations,” Farmer said.

The money from the sale of the tax credits lowers the amount the developer has to borrow for apartment construction.

“That’s how you keep the rents down,” Farmer said. “Your bank debt is much smaller so that you keep your rents affordable. It’s the truest form of a public-private partnership because you have the state agency, the federal government and these private investors that are all participating as well as the developers.”

Allocations of the tax credit is based on a state’s population. North Carolina’s allocation is around $34 million a year.

“There is a long waiting list,” for the tax credits, Farmer said. “The problem with this program is that we don’t have enough resources to go around.”

While other federal programs have been on the chopping block this year, Congress approved a 12% increase in the Low-Incoming Housing Tax Credit program, Farmer said.

“It was one of the few things that was increased and shows the bipartisan support for this program,” the director said.

Construction costs, labor and rents have all been going up over the last five years, Farmer noted.

“Without these types of programs, it would be difficult if not impossible to make these kinds of properties available for families and seniors,” he said.

The post Reagan era credit pumps billions into North Carolina housing | North Carolina appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com


Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The article primarily reports on the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program and its impact on affordable housing in North Carolina without promoting a particular ideological viewpoint. It presents factual information, quotes from an official involved in the program, and mentions bipartisan support, indicating a neutral tone. The language is straightforward and descriptive, focusing on the mechanics and benefits of the program rather than advocating for or against any political ideology. Thus, it adheres to neutral, factual reporting by describing the ideological positions and actions of policymakers without contributing a discernible bias itself.

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News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

Powerball surges to $1.8B ahead of Saturday's drawing

Published

22 hours ago

on

September 6, 2025

By

www.youtube.com – WRAL – 2025-09-06 23:48:07


SUMMARY: The Powerball jackpot surged to an estimated $1.8 billion for Saturday’s drawing, marking the second largest lottery jackpot in history. Winning numbers were 6, 12, 23, 62, 44, with a Powerball of 17. Many hopeful players, including reporter Kirsten Clark, purchased tickets, eager to try their luck. At Andy Hugo’s in Raleigh, a stream of customers bought tickets, drawn by the chance to win big for just $2. The lump sum cash option is estimated at $826.4 million. Experts remind winners to consult financial planners due to the jackpot’s 1 in 292 million odds.

The numbers were drawn, and many were hoping to win the life-changing jackpot.

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News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

Man accused of identity theft taught at multiple schools in the area

Published

2 days ago

on

September 6, 2025

By

www.youtube.com – WRAL – 2025-09-06 09:33:00


SUMMARY: Gregory Pedford, accused of using a stolen identity to secure a teaching job in Franklin County, has worked at multiple schools including Wake Forest Charter Academy and Durham Public Schools. Pedford, who used aliases and falsified records to appear as a licensed educator, was employed at least four local schools. Despite a long criminal history of fraud dating to the 1980s, schools failed to detect his deception. After his arrest, Cross Creek Charter implemented fingerprinting for new hires to improve verification. Parents and community members express concern and call for stricter hiring processes to protect children from similar cases.

Gregory Pettiford is facing charges for identity theft and having a fake driver’s license and social security card, according to arrest warrants. An Apex student remembers him as ‘a really good teacher.’

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