Governor Pat McCrory and leaders in the state House have released a bill that would serve as a scaled-down budget proposal. The move is meant to shake up a slow budget process.
House Budget Appropriations Chair Nelson Dollar explained Senate Bill 3 to a packed conference room earlier today. Dollar said among other things, the measure would give teachers an average five-percent pay raise and state employees a $1,000 raise plus benefits.
"We know that these are the priorities that all chambers support. These are the priorities that the governor supports. And I believe that we should pass this bill today and take this to the floor of the house," said Dollar.
House members passed the bill in committee, which is expected to go to the floor tomorrow.
Gov. McCrory and Speaker of the House Thom Tillis held a news conference earlier in the day to endorse the measure.
The House and Senate have held only one formal negotiation meeting. Senate Leader Phil Berger has not responded with enthusiasm to this measure.