06 June, 2017
When cross-referenced with NCSL's latest states' budget data from June 1, of the 24 states facing a deficit, only eight have passed budgets: Colorado, Maryland, New York, North Dakota, Mississippi, South Dakota, Montana and Virginia. Legislators are negotiating a final budget deal, the House is sitting on a construction financing plan and major pieces of a criminal justice revamp are nearing the governor's desk.
Introduced by Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ranger), the approach to funding the government emphasizes regular order and efficiency in the budget process leading up to the start of the fiscal year on October 1.
Cooper said the Republican plans have fallen short in investments in public education, rural economic development and broadband, and opioid addiction treatment.
The Senate majority declined immediate comment on Walker's plan.
"I am hopeful that they can do so much more", he said.
While lawmakers said they wanted to limit spending growth to 2.5 percent to account for North Carolina's population growth as well as inflation, Charlie Perusse, Cooper's budget director, said a more accurate figure for that is 3.1 percent. But only a handful of dissident Republicans are needed to gum up the negotiations.
The two chambers already have agreed to spend $22.9 billion next year. Cooper would spend $23.4 billion. All three plans put $300 million more into the state's savings reserve.
Asked if he would support any tax cut, Cooper pointed to a child-care tax credit in his budget proposal, which he said would be the most important tax cut that could be provided for the middle class.
Cooper said he's particularly concerned about GOP tax plans because he said they would make it harder to reach his teacher pay and other goals.
Revenue Commissioner Michael Heffernan said Monday that the state is continuing to see steady year-to-date growth in revenues from income withholding taxes, which he described as a sign of a healthy economy. The House plans cost about a third of that total and avoid rate cuts.
Cooper noted his budget doesn't require a tax increase, although it does require more spending than the legislature's. He sounded open Monday to an alternative tax break targeting low- and middle-class people.
