Gov. Stein proposes $1.4B plan to fund Medicaid gap, pay raises

RALEIGH, N.C. (WITN) - Governor Josh Stein is urging the General Assembly to pass a budget that he says invests in needs that are underfunded in the state.

The governor today said the $1.4 billion Critical Needs Budget will go toward Medicaid, teachers, and public safety.

If passed, the governor says all teachers will receive a 6% pay raise, state employees will get a 2.5% increase, and law enforcement pay will go up by 10%.

Stein also says that $319 million will fund the Medicaid budget gap, and another $21.6 million will assist the DMV.

North Carolina has not passed a comprehensive budget in almost two and a half years, according to the governor’s office.

Just last week, a state report showed that 221 more NC teachers left their jobs compared to the prior school year.

In a statement, House Speaker Destin Hall claims the governor is proposing funds for high-cost initiatives, adding that the state House has already passed an 8.7% raise for teachers and a 13% raise for law enforcement.