The first of what is expected to be a series of “mini-budgets” are on the calendar for the House Appropriations Committee today.
Specifically, three committees substitute bills will provide 2.5 percent pay raises for the State Highway Patrol, the State Bureau of Investigation and Alcohol Law Enforcement, along with raises for most state employees outside of education and law enforcement.
Rep. Jason Saine reportedly said today’s bills are a part of “a multitude of mini-budgets this week,” adding that he expects the Senate and House to each introduce three “mini-budget” bills.
We should, among other things, expect a bill addressing teacher pay raises this week.
The question remains: will Gov. Cooper veto these bills and continue to hold state employee pay raises hostage to his “Medicaid expansion or nothing” demand?
