The North Carolina General Assembly is gearing up for its annual work session with some extra funds and few pressing issues to address. After a landmark 2023 session that saw significant legislation passed, such as expanding Medicaid and restricting abortion, Republican leaders are aiming for a short session to wrap things up by early summer. With all 170 legislative seats up for reelection in November, Republicans are cautious about advancing measures that could negatively impact their candidates in key districts.
The main task of the legislature in even-numbered years is to adjust the second year of the two-year government operating budget. A consensus forecast predicts that the state will collect an additional $1.4 billion by mid-2025 compared to previous estimates. Part of this budget adjustment could involve allocating more funds for Medicaid spending adjustments and the Opportunity Scholarship Program. Republicans are considering setting aside more money for scholarships to allow more families in higher-income brackets to send their K-12 children to private or religious schools.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper will also present his last budget proposal, advocating for increased funding for public schools and substantial pay raises for teachers. There may also be discussions about immigration policies, with the Senate potentially considering a bill requiring local sheriffs to assist federal agents in matters related to immigrants in jail. Last year, revenue from video gambling machines was a topic of interest, with projections indicating potential annual revenues of over $400 million by the end of the decade.
The short session also marks the last one for House Speaker Tim Moore, who is expected to run for Congress in 2025. Republicans currently hold veto-proof majorities in both chambers, making it challenging for Democratic legislators to halt what they consider to be unfavorable GOP legislation. Despite the challenges, Cooper had all of his vetoes overridden last year. Regardless of the outcome of the upcoming session, it is clear that the legislators have important decisions to make on critical issues that will impact the state’s future.
As the 2022 session of the North Carolina General Assembly kicks off, lawmakers are faced with the task of finalizing the government operating budget, making adjustments based on the state’s improved revenue forecast. With key elections looming in November, Republican leaders are treading carefully to ensure their legislative agenda does not negatively impact their chances of winning. From funding adjustments for Medicaid to discussions around immigration and gambling regulations, there are plenty of pressing issues on the agenda for this year’s short session.
